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1. The Committee notes the information supplied in the Government’s report. It notes with regret that, according to the Government, there has been no change regarding the revision of the Handbook of Standards on Safety and Risk Prevention for Dockworkers. It takes this opportunity to draw the Government’s attention to the recently adopted ILO code of practice Safety and health in
ports (Geneva, 2005), which is available inter alia at the ILO web
site: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cops/english/index.htm . In view of the foregoing, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary steps without delay to complete the revision of the Handbook of Standards on Safety and Risk Prevention for Dockworkers and to provide a copy as soon as it is adopted, together with any relevant texts.

2. Article 26 of the Convention. Testing, thorough examination, inspection and certification of lifting appliances and items of loose gear. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it plans to update existing standards on safety and health in dock work, that the Committee’s more specific comments have been forwarded to the Directorate-General of the merchant navy and that the Government is awaiting information. It requests the Government to confirm whether this is the case and, if so, to report on all developments and to provide copies of any relevant texts as soon as they are adopted. The Committee trusts that the Government will take into account the numerous comments the Committee has been making since 1993. It reminds the Government that it may avail itself of ILO technical assistance in aligning its legislation with the Convention and ensuring its application in practice.

3. Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee requests the Government to provide extracts from the reports of the inspection services, information on the number of workers covered by the legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported and any other information that would enable the Committee to assess how the Convention is applied in practice.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2008.]