Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 1999, publiée 88ème session CIT (2000)

Convention (n° 105) sur l'abolition du travail forcé, 1957 - Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande du Nord (Ratification: 1957)

The Committee notes the Government's reply to its earlier comments.

Article 1(c) and (d) of the Convention. 1. The Committee previously noted that section 59(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1995, provides that a seafarer who combines with other seafarers employed on the same ship at a time while the ship is at sea to disobey lawful commands, neglect any duty which is required to be discharged, or impede the progress of a voyage or the navigation of the ship, is liable, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine or both. According to section 59(2), a ship is treated as being at sea at any time when it is not securely moored in a safe berth. The Government stated in its report received in October 1997 that section 59 is applicable to seafarers who withdraw their labour in furtherance of an industrial dispute.

The Committee notes the Government's indications in its latest report concerning consultations which took place with the shipping industry on whether or not section 59 should be repealed or amended so that it applied only to mutinies but not strikes. It notes with interest that it was concluded that other parts of the Act and other legislation existed to deal effectively with actions arising from mutinies, if section 59 was repealed. Noting the Government's indication that further negotiations are ongoing with a view to commencing the repeal process as soon as possible, the Committee hopes that the necessary measures will be taken in order to bring the legislation into conformity with the Convention on this point.

The Committee is addressing a request on certain other points directly to the Government.