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Further to its general observations of 1990 and previous years, concerning the communications from the National Federation of Maritime Trade Unions (FNSM) commenting, inter alia, on the application of Convention No. 9 in the French Southern and Antarctic Territories (TAAF), the Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending 30 June 1992. It also notes the new observations made by the FNSM in August and November 1992 concerning the system for the registration of vessels in the TAAF.

The Committee notes from the Government's report that section 174 of the CTOM establishes a manpower office to be responsible for providing an employment service for the overseas territories (National Agency for the Integration and Promotion of Overseas Workers). The Government indicates that the National Agency for Employment cooperates with the Central Maritime Labour Office, in the same conditions as in metropolitan France, in placing seafarers on vessels registered in the TAAF. The Committee also notes that, on 1 October 1991, 755 seamen and officers were employed on board vessels registered in the TAAF, of whom 60 officers and 386 sailors were foreigners. It would be grateful if in its future reports the Government would continue to provide the information requested in the report form under Article 4 of the Convention on the number of requests for employment received, the number of vacant posts advertised and the number of persons placed in employment on ships registered in the TAAF, together with other information on the functioning of seafarers' placement establishments in this territory, as required by Article 10.

The Committee notes the Government's indications that there are practical difficulties in organizing a labour inspection service for this territory, and that the matter is being examined. It would be grateful if in its future reports the Government would continue to provide the information on the organization and operation of inspection services required by point III of the report form.