Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Dock Work Convention, 1973 (No. 137) - Portugal (Ratification: 1981)

National policy to provide permanent or regular employment for dockworkers. The Committee takes note of the Government’s report for the period ending in May 2012 and the decisions on dock work by the Supreme Court of Justice attached to the report. The Government states that 260 dockworkers were hired under indefinite contracts; the number of dockworkers in the country (continental ports) is 577 (as compared to 440 in the period ending in May 2007). The General Union of Workers reiterated its earlier comments to the effect that the specific nature of dock work requires the adoption of special rules, particularly on occupational safety and health and the vocational training of the workers concerned. The Committee invites the Government in its next report to provide up-to-date information on the provisions governing safety, health, wellbeing and vocational training that apply to dockworkers (Article 6 of the Convention). Please also provide information on the results obtained through tripartite cooperation in terms of improving the efficiency of work in ports (Article 5).