Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) - Gabon (Ratification: 2014)

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Follow-up to the conclusions of the Committee on the Application of Standards (International Labour Conference, 111th Session, June 2023)

The Committee recalls that in 2021, in the framework of the procedure of “urgent appeal”, it examined the implementation of the Convention by Gabon on the basis of publicly available information given that the Government had failed to submit a first report for four consecutive years. The Committee welcomes the Government’s first report which was submitted during the June 2023 session of the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards (hereinafter, the “Conference Committee”). The Committee notes the discussion, which took place during the same session of the Conference Committee concerning the application of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006), by Gabon. It notes that the Conference Committee recalled the critical importance of effective national implementation of the Convention and the need for ratifying Member States to ensure they meet their regular reporting obligations within the prescribed time limits. The Conference Committee requested the Government to take all necessary measures to ensure its compliance in law and practice with the Convention, in consultation with the social partners; and to provide full information to the Committee of Experts regarding the application of the Convention in law and practice, including: (i) a copy of all legislative texts or other regulatory instruments, once adopted; and (ii) updated statistics on the number of seafarers who are nationals or residents of Gabon, or who work on board ships flying the Gabonese flag. The Committee also requested the Government to seek ILO technical assistance for the implementation of the above recommendations.

The Committee notes that two Government representatives participated in a course offered by the ILO Training Centre on reporting on the MLC, 2006, which led to the finalization of the report. It also notes that after the International Labour Conference, a number of exchanges and a follow-up meeting took place between the Office and the Government and that discussions are taking place concerning the most appropriate way to provide technical assistance. The Committee hopes that the Government will avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office to address the numerous issues still pending with a view to fully implementing the Convention.

Article I of the Convention. General questions on application. Implementing measures. In its previous comment, the Committee requested the Government to adopt without delay the necessary measures to implement the Convention. The Committee observes that, according to the Government’s report, legislative texts implementing the requirements of the Convention have not yet been adopted. The Committee recalls that under Article I of the Convention, each Member which ratifies the Convention undertakes to give complete effect to its provisions in the manner set out in Article VI in order to secure the right of all seafarers to decent employment. The Committee therefore requests the Government to adopt without further delay the necessary measures to give effect to all provisions of the Convention.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.