Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Dock Work Convention, 1973 (No. 137) - Egypt (Ratification: 1982)

Articles 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the Convention. Measures to encourage permanent or regular employment. Cooperation with the social partners. Efficiency of work in ports. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to communicate information on measures taken to encourage the provision of permanent or regular employment of dockworkers, in light of the Government’s indication in its 2012 report that the majority of dockworkers employed in loading and unloading are irregular workers. The Government reports that it employs all types of dock, terminal, container and dry dock workers through shipping companies, loading and unloading companies, ship suppliers, marine service companies, wharf service companies and other contractors. The Government adds that permits for workers employed by a contractor are issued by the Port Section on a daily or weekly basis, as required by the job, whereas work permits for the workers of shipping companies are issued on a yearly basis. The Committee notes that the Government provides no information on the measures taken or contemplated to encourage the provision of permanent or regular employment for such workers. With regard to arrangements for cooperation with the social partners to improve the efficiency of work in ports, the Government indicates that the Ministry cooperates at all times with employers’ and workers’ organizations, particularly in the area of training for dockworkers. The Committee notes that the Government provides an example of such cooperation in the collaboration between the Ministry and the Marine Shipyard Company in Suez to train welders, refrigeration technicians and air-conditioning technicians, with the cooperation of the workers’ organization in the company. The Government also reports that training centres in Damietta and Suez train workers, in collaboration with the employers’ and workers’ organizations of companies engaged in dock work. The Government indicates that the provisions of the Convention are applied smoothly and with ease. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide detailed information on the measures taken or envisaged to encourage the provision of permanent or regular employment for dockworkers and on the numbers of dockworkers on the registers maintained in accordance with Article 3 and variations in their numbers. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the arrangements in place for cooperation between employers and their organizations and workers’ organizations in improving the efficiency of work in ports. The Committee further reiterates its request that the Government provide information on the application of safety, health, welfare and vocational training provisions to dockworkers.