Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Fishermen's Articles of Agreement Convention, 1959 (No. 114) - Cyprus (Ratification: 1966)

Article 3 of the Convention. Conditions for signing articles of agreement. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that, in view of the fact that the vast majority of the fishers employed on Cypriot-flagged fishing vessels are of Egyptian origin, the Department of Merchant Shipping has prepared a standard contract of employment, in both Greek and English languages, to be signed by both the fisher and the employer. The Committee recalls that the Convention requires facilities to be given to the fisher and his adviser to examine the articles of agreement before they are signed, and also adequate provision to be made to ensure that the fisher has understood the agreement. The Committee would appreciate receiving a copy of the standard contract of employment currently in use by the Department of Merchant Shipping. It also requests the Government to indicate what facilities are given to fishers – especially non-nationals – to examine and seek advice before they conclude an employment contract. The Committee recalls, in this respect, that similar requirements have been incorporated in Article 17(a) of the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188).

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that at present there are approximately 110 fishers employed on fishing vessels. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the application of the Convention in practice, including information on the number of fishers signed on during the reporting period and inspection results showing the number of infringements observed and penalties imposed.

Finally, the Committee wishes to once more draw the Government’s attention to the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188), which revises in an integrated manner most of the existing ILO fishing instruments. In particular, Articles 16 to 20 and Annex II of Convention No. 188 build up and extend the provisions of Convention No. 114. The Committee invites the Government to give favourable consideration to the ratification of Convention No. 188 and to keep the Office informed of any decision taken in this regard.