Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Protection against Accidents (Dockers) Convention (Revised), 1932 (No. 32) - Croatia (Ratification: 1991)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report and the supplementary information provided in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th Session (June 2020).

Articles 4 and 8 of the Convention. Transport of workers to a ship by water; safety of workers engaged in removing or replacing hatch coverings and beams used for hatch coverings. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee notes the indication that the Rules for the statutory certification of ships, occupational safety and crew accommodation (Official Gazette No. 32/18) give effect to Articles 4 and 8 of the Convention. The Committee notes that, while the above Rules stipulate the protection measures for workers to ensure access to and from the ship, they refer rather to the means of embarkation and disembarkation, such as embarkation gangways and ladders, and do not regulate the matter of the safe transport of workers who must proceed to a ship by water for the handling processes, provided for under Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the legislative texts which give effect to Article 4 of the Convention concerning the obligation to ensure the safe transport of workers who must proceed to a ship by water.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government showing 49 inspections relating to the application of the occupational safety regulations by 35 port operators between 2014 and 2016, with 30 of such inspections conducted following an occupational accident. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing detailed information on labour inspection in ports, including on the number, nature and causes of the accidents reported, as well as on the violations registered and penalties imposed.

Prospects for ratification of the most up-to-date Convention. The Committee takes this opportunity to encourage the Government to give effect to the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 328th Session (October–November 2016) approving the recommendations of the Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group, and to envisage ratifying the Occupational Safety and Health (Dock Work) Convention, 1979 (No. 152), which is the most up-to-date instrument in this area. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any measures taken in this regard.