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Articles 5 and 6 of the Convention. Efficiency of work in ports. The Committee notes the indications provided by the Government in the report received in August 2007 which contains information in relation to its 2002 direct request. The Government refers to the provisions of the Labour Code of 2003 and to the appointment of dockworkers to permanent jobs with the United Arab Company for Loading and Unloading (UACLU) and with most companies responsible for loading and unloading at the country’s ports. The Government further indicates that the regulations, which provide for the employment of dockworkers, specify a minimum monthly income for jobs to which a dockworker is appointed, enabling dockworkers to benefit from legal allowances and any other legal wage increases decided by the State. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the results achieved at the tripartite level in improving the efficiency of work in ports. In particular, the Committee would appreciate receiving information on the number of dockworkers employed by the UACLU and by other companies,  and of variations in their numbers during the period covered by the next report. Please also supply information on the measures taken to ensure that appropriate welfare and vocational training provisions also apply to dockworkers.

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The Committee notes the reports sent by the Government in September 2000 and August 2002 containing information in reply to its direct request of 1998.

Article 5 of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the effect given to this Article by the national legislation, and invites the Government to describe how cooperation between employers or their organizations and workers’ organizations to improve the efficiency of work in ports takes place in practice.

Part V of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to provide a general appreciation of the practical application of the Convention, including for instance extracts from reports of the authorities responsible for enforcing laws and regulations, and in particular information on the numbers of dockworkers and variations in their numbers. Please specify whether all dockworkers continue to be permanent employees of the United Arab Company for Loading and Unloading and, if not, please indicate the other forms of employment status.

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The Committee notes the Government's report for the period up to June 1996 and the information provided in reply to its previous direct request. It notes the information according to which a tripartite committee set up by Order No. 38 of 20 May 1997 of the Ministry of Maritime Transport is responsible for preparing a draft law on workers at sea which will take into account all the relevant international labour Conventions ratified by the Government. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would keep the ILO informed of any developments in the work of this tripartite committee. The Committee also notes that the Government's report contains insufficient information in reply to its previous comments and trusts that its next report will provide detailed replies to the questions raised in its previous direct request which concerned the following points:

Article 1, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee refers to its previous comments relating to the definitions of "dockworkers" and "dock work" and to the need for such definitions to take account of new methods of cargo-handling and that establishment or revision of such definitions be implemented through consultation with organizations of employers and workers. The Committee requests specific information on this and trusts that this matter will receive consideration by the tripartite committee.

Article 5. The Committee refers also to its previous comments concerning any measures taken to encourage cooperation between employers or their organizations and workers' organizations to improve efficiency in the ports. The Committee requests specific information on this and trusts that this matter will receive consideration by the tripartite committee.

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The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments.

Article 1, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee notes the detailed description of the interpretation of the term "dockworkers" in national practice, as provided by the tripartite committee responsible for examining the ILO's maritime Conventions and replying to the comments made by the supervisory bodies. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate any processes envisaged for the revision of the definition of the terms "dockworkers" and "dock work" in the light of the new methods of cargo handling and their effect on the various types of work performed by dockworkers, in consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, as provided for in this Article.

Article 5. The Committee notes the Government's statement that section 14 of the Act respecting workers' trade unions and sections 42 and 43 of Act No. 203 of 1991 on public sector companies provide for collaboration between the organizations of workers and employers to improve the efficiency of work and that these provisions are also applicable to trade union organizations representing dockworkers. As requested in the report form for the Convention, please describe in more detail the arrangements for cooperation between employers and their organizations and workers' organizations in improving the efficiency of work in ports, and the participation, if any, of the competent authorities in these arrangements. Please also indicate whether any measures have been taken to encourage further cooperation.

Point V of the report form. Please give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied, including for instance extracts from reports and any information available on the numbers of dockworkers recorded in registers.

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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.]

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The Committee notes that as the Government's report gives no further particulars in reply to the earlier direct request, the Committee must return to the question in a new direct request. It hopes that the Government will without fail take the necessary steps and supply the information requested on the following points:

Article 1, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Please indicate the arrangements made for revising the definitions of the terms "dockworkers" and "dock work" in the light of new methods of cargo handling and their effect on the various dockworker occupations. Please indicate the manner in which the organisations of employers and workers concerned are consulted or otherwise participate in the establishment and revision of these definitions.

Article 2. Please describe the measures taken to encourage the provision of permanent or regular employment for dockworkers. Please indicate, where permanent or regular employment is not practicable, the minimum periods of employment or minimum income assured to dockworkers and describe the manner in which they are assured.

Article 5. Please describe the arrangements for co-operation between employers and their organisations and workers' organisations in improving the efficiency of work in ports, and the participation, if any, of the competent authorities in these arrangements.