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With reference to its earlier comments, the Committee notes from the Government's report that there is no legal definition of the terms "dockworkers" or "dockwork". In its report for the period ending 30 June 1986 the Government gave, however, a detailed description of the interpretation of the term "dockworkers", in the national practice. The Committee recalls in this regard that Article 1, paragraph 2, of the Convention requires that the organizations of employers and workers concerned shall be consulted on or otherwise participate in the establishment and revision of these definitions, taking into account in this connection new methods of cargo handling and their effect on the various dockworker occupations. The Committee hopes that appropriate measures will be taken by the Government in order to give effect to the provisions of this Article, particularly in the light of the Government's intention expressed in the report of establishing a committee, with participation of employers and workers, to examine the Committee of Experts' comments in relation to the national legislation.

Article 2. The Committee notes the Government's information supplied concerning the rules applicable to dockworkers. It would like to recall that this Article stipulates that "it shall be national policy to encourage all concerned to provide permanent or regular employment for dockworkers in so far as practicable" (paragraph 1) and that "in any case, dockworkers shall be assured minimum periods of employment or a minimum income, in a manner and to an extent depending on the economic and social situation of the country and port concerned" (paragraph 2). The Committee hopes that the Government will not fail to supply detailed information on the manner in which effect is given to this Article of the Convention as far as all categories of workers are concerned, and asks the Government to report on any measures taken and progress made in this connection.

Article 5. The Committee notes that no new information has been supplied by the Government under this Article. It therefore asks the Government once again to indicate, in its next report, whether any arrangements have been made for cooperation between employers and their organizations and workers' organizations in improving the efficiency of work in ports, with the participation, as appropriate, of the competent authorities.

[The Government is asked to report in detail for the period ending 30 June 1994.]