Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Fishermen's Articles of Agreement Convention, 1959 (No. 114) - Guernsey

Article 1(2) of the Convention. Scope of application. Exemptions. The Committee, in its previous comment, requested the Government to indicate whether the exemption from the provisions of the Employment Conditions Law was granted to seagoing British ships having a gross registered tonnage of 80 tons or more after consultations by the competent authority with the fishing-boat owners’ and fishers’ organizations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in its report, that a consultative document in respect of the draft provisions of the Employment Conditions Law, foreseeing this exemption, was circulated by the Labour and Welfare Committee as a basis for discussion with representatives of local employers and employees and other interested bodies. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that, as a result, it is highly likely that boat owners’ and fishers’ associations would have had the document circulated to them and been invited to comment. The Committee takes note of this information. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that there is only one fishing vessel over 80 gross tons registered in Guernsey. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any developments regarding its fishing fleet.

Articles 3, 6 and 9. Articles of agreement. The Committee requested the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to give effect to these articles of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the States of Guernsey’s Government Work Plan establishes the political priority areas for legislative and policy development between 2021–25 and that there is scope within that Plan for legislative or policy development in order to meet international obligations, and the further enactment of measures relating to this Convention can be considered alongside other international obligation-related priority areas. While noting this information, the Committee requests once again the Government to take concrete measures to give effect to the aforementioned requirements of the Convention, taking into account its previous comments (Articles 3, 6 and 9).