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The Committee notes the Government’s report and the replies to its previous direct request. It also notes the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), dated 28 August 2007, which relate to matters already raised by the Committee in its previous direct request, and the allegation by the National Union of Workers of the Ministry of the Public Service, Labour and Administrative Reform (SG/SYNTRA/MFPTRA) of acts of anti-union discrimination in the Ministry of the Public Service. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments on the latter issue.

In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to indicate whether seafarers enjoyed the right to collective bargaining. The Committee notes the indication that the shipping administration in practice recognizes the right to collective bargaining by seafarers. Furthermore, this right will be recognized in the new Merchant Shipping Code, which is currently being examined by the National Assembly with a view to its adoption. The Committee also notes the indication that collective bargaining is being held in the sector between the Government, represented by the Ministry of Labour and the Public Service, the Ministry representing the President of the Republic which is responsible for transport and public works and the National Union of Seafarers of Benin (SYNAMAB). The Committee hopes that the new Merchant Shipping Code will explicitly recognize the right to collective bargaining for representative organizations of workers in merchant shipping and it requests the Government to provide a copy of the text in its next report. The Government is also requested to indicate the collective agreements in force covering seafarers and, where appropriate, to provide copies of these agreements.