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Article 10(3) of the Convention. Annual report. Further to its general observation of 2004, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the annual inspection report on food and catering is still under preparation and will be sent to the Office upon its finalization. The Committee once more requests the Government to provide the most recent annual report issued by the competent authority, as required under this Article of the Convention.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Government notes the monthly activity reports and inspection results of the maritime inspectorate of the Port of Alexandria in matters related to food, water, storage spaces and equipment used in food preparation that the Government has been regularly submitting in recent years. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply up-to-date information, including, for instance, extracts from reports of the inspection services, any available information as to the number and nature of complaints which may have been made by members of ships’ crews, the penalties imposed, copies of any relevant collective agreements, information on any training courses for members of the catering department of seagoing vessels and copies of any notices issued by the competent authority to ships’ masters, agents or cooks on food and catering issues, including recommendations to avoid wastage of food or to maintain a proper standard of cleanliness.

Finally, the Committee takes this opportunity to recall that most of the provisions of Convention No. 68 have been incorporated into Regulation 3.2, Standard A3.2 and Guideline B3.2.1 of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Moreover, the MLC, 2006, introduces some new provisions regarding the obligation to take into account the differing cultural and religious backgrounds, to provide food free from charge and to carry a fully qualified cook. The Committee requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any further developments regarding the process of ratification and effective implementation of the MLC, 2006.

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Further to its previous direct request of 2007, the Committee notes that no copies of reports on inspectors’ activities covering provinces other than Alexandria have been transmitted to the Office. Furthermore, with reference to the comments it has been making since 2004, the Committee again notes that no copy of the annual report on food and catering, produced by the competent (central) authority, has as yet been communicated to the Office. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to transmit, as soon as possible, copies of reports on inspectors’ activities and a copy of the annual report on food and catering, covering the territory of Egypt in its entirety, in accordance with Articles 9(3) and 10(3) of the Convention.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2010.]

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The Committee takes note of the periodical reports on inspectors’ activities, framed in accordance with Article 9, paragraph 3, of the Convention, and transmitted by the Government. It notes, however, that these activity reports only concern the Province of Alexandria. It asks the Government to transmit reports on inspectors’ activities in other provinces.

Furthermore, recalling its 2004 general observation, the Committee requests again the Government to transmit, in its next report, a copy of the annual report on food and catering, framed by the competent central authority and covering the entire territory of Egypt, as required under Article 10 of the Convention.

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The Committee notes the Government’s report. It requests the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Please clarify whether Order No. 166 of 1961 is still effective or whether it was replaced by Order No. 36 of 1994.

Article 1, paragraph 2. Please indicate specific provisions of national laws or regulations which establish the definition of a "seagoing vessel".

Article 2, paragraph (a). Please indicate: (i) which legislation governs the construction, location, ventilation, heating, lighting, water system and equipment of galleys and other catering department spaces on board ship, including store rooms and refrigerated chambers; and (ii) which authority is responsible for its enforcement.

Article 2, paragraph (d). The Committee asks the Government to indicate: (i) how the functions described in subparagraph (d) are discharged; and (ii) whether they are carried out by the competent authority or in virtue of collective agreements, and, in the latter case, to indicate relevant provisions of the collective agreements.

Article 3, paragraphs 1 and 2. Please indicate specific arrangements made to ensure cooperation of the competent authority with shipowners’ and seafarers’ organizations and the national or local authorities concerned; and specific measures taken to ensure coordination between the activities of various authorities.

Article 5, paragraph 2(b). Please indicate specific provisions of national laws or regulations requiring the arrangement and equipment of the catering department in every vessel in such a manner as to permit the service of proper meals to the crew.

Article 9, paragraph 1. Please indicate whether inspectors have authority to make recommendations to the owner of a ship, or to the master or other person responsible, with a view to the improvement of the standard of catering.

Article 9, paragraph 2(b). The Committee asks the Government to indicate provisions of national laws or regulations prescribing penalties for any attempt to obstruct an inspector in the discharge of his duties.

Article 9, paragraph 3. Please indicate measures envisaged to ensure that the inspection service responsible for the supervision of the application of the Convention shall submit regularly to the competent authority reports framed on uniform lines.

Article 10, paragraphs 1 and 2. Please clarify which authority prepares an annual report as required under this provision of the Convention; and indicate the timing of issuance of the annual report.

Article 11, paragraphs 1 and 2. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the practical application of these provisions of the Convention.

Article 12, paragraphs 1-3. Please provide particulars on the specific measures taken by the competent authority to discharge the functions described in this Article.

Article 13. Please indicate to which authorities the certification of the catering department staff, and the collection and distribution of information has been entrusted.

The Committee also asks the Government to supply copies of the following documents:

-  Presidential Order No. 332 concerning the Department of Ports and Lighthouses;

-  the annual report prepared pursuant to Article 10; and

-  any manuals, brochures, etc., made available to the persons referred to in Article 12.

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1. Further to its previous comments, the Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government in its report according to which Ministerial Order No. 38, adopted 20 May 1997, provides for the establishment of a tripartite committee in charge of preparing both a draft Order and a draft law to regulate the affairs of ships' crews and reviewing the previous Orders promulgated on this subject, taking into consideration international labour standards. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard and to provide a copy of any texts adopted.

2. The Committee takes note with interest of Ministerial Order No. 36 of 8 October 1994 relating to minimum food supply and inspection of food and water supplies, storage, handling and preparing food.

3. Articles 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 of the Convention. The Committee notes that inspections by the Maritime Inspectorate should be conducted on a written complaint, that daily inspections should be carried out on board by the master or his deputy and results be recorded and, at the end of each voyage, submitted to the Maritime Inspectorate which can also act on the basis of a written complaint. The Committee requests the Government to provide particulars on the inspections carried out on board as well as on complaints, including on the number and nature of complaints. It hopes that the Government will soon send to the Office the most recent report issued by the competent authority.

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The Committee notes the information concerning the committee responsible for examining international maritime labour Conventions, constituted by decision No. 28 of 1993 of the Ministry of Shipping, to the effect that the above committee has indicated that Ministerial Order No. 166 of 1961 was in the process of being revised. The first committee has recommended that the committee established in 1990 (in accordance with decision No. 93 of 14 May 1990) and made up of several bodies should be continued, that the text of the present Convention should be submitted to it together with the observations of the Committee of Experts so that they can be taken into account in the drafting of the ordinance. The Committee has also taken note of Order No. 36, dated 8 October, 1994, on maritime transport.

Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government to the effect that the inspectors responsible for supervising food and catering on board ship are agricultural experts (food inspectors) and doctors (health inspectors).

Article 6(b) and (c). The Committee notes that under section 2 of Order No. 36/94, areas used for storing, handling and preparing food on board ship shall be inspected. It asks the Government to give full details in this respect.

Article 9, paragraph 3. The Committee hopes that the inspection service responsible for the application of Article 4 and 6 will in due course prepare its reports on uniform lines, in accordance with this provision of the Convention.

Article 10. The Committee hopes that, in accordance with this Article, an annual report will be drawn up and sent to the International Labour Office.

Article 11. The Committee hopes that information on vocational training in catering on board ship will be provided for.

Article 12. The Committee hopes that legislative provisions or other measures will be adopted on the collection and dissemination of information on catering and asks the Government to provide full particulars of activities currently conducted for this purpose.

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The Committee notes the general information sent in reply to its previous direct request concerning the interministerial committee which is to examine the legislation's consistency with the Conventions. It also notes the statement made by the maritime transport holding company concerning the variety and quantity of ships' supplies, and the committees to supervise food on board ships. It hopes that the next report will contain specific information on the questions raised in the Committee's previous request, which read as follows:

Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee has noted the provisions relating to the status of marine inspectors. It hopes the Government will supply further information on the qualifications of inspectors responsible for the supervision of food and catering on board ship.

Article 5, paragraph 2(b). Please indicate the provisions placing responsibility for the arrangement and equipment of the catering department on the shipowner.

Article 6(b) and (c). Please provide any available information as to the working of the inspection system, for example extracts from inspection reports, particularly in relation to food and water storage and galley equipment. Please give a general appreciation of the application of the Convention in this respect (cf. Parts III and V of the report form).

Article 7. In its latest report, the Government indicates that inspections are made by an administrative officer on board under the captain's control. Since the legislation referred to by the Government and examined by the Committee does not appear to deal with this point, the Committee hopes the Government will in the near future be able to indicate the legislation or collective agreements providing for inspection at sea and the recording of inspection results, as required by this Article.

Article 8. The Government has referred to a procedure for the investigation of catering complaints by a single crew member, although there does not appear to be legislation dealing specifically with this matter. Please describe the practical working of this procedure (cf. Part V of the report form).

Article 9, paragraph 3. The Committee hopes that in due course the marine inspection authorities referred to in connection with Articles 4 and 6 of the Convention will adopt uniform lines for inspection reports, in conformity with this provision.

Article 10. The Committee hopes that an annual inspection report will be prepared and forwarded to the Office, as required by this Article.

Article 11. The Committee hopes that information on training in on-board catering will become available soon.

Article 12. The Committee hopes that, in the absence of legislation dealing specifically with the collection and dissemination of up-to-date catering information, the Government will consider taking appropriate steps to apply this Article, and that it will provide all available information on any procedures currently operating.

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

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The Committee has noted the information provided in reply to the previous direct request.

Article 4 of the Convention. The Committee has noted the provisions relating to the status of marine inspectors. It hopes the Government will supply further information on the qualifications of inspectors responsible for the supervision of food and catering on board ship.

Article 5, paragraph 2(b). Please indicate the provisions placing responsibility for the arrangement and equipment of the catering department on the shipowner.

Article 6(b) and (c). Please provide any available information as to the working of the inspection system, for example extracts from inspection reports, particularly in relation to food and water storage and galley equipment. Please give a general appreciation of the application of the Convention in this respect (cf. Parts III and V of the report form).

Article 7. In its latest report, the Government indicates that inspections are made by an administrative officer on board under the captain's control. Since the legislation referred to by the Government and examined by the Committee does not appear to deal with this point, the Committee hopes the Government will in the near future be able to indicate the legislation or collective agreements providing for inspection at sea and the recording of inspection results, as required by this Article.

Article 8. The Government has referred to a procedure for the investigation of catering complaints by a single crew member, although there does not appear to be legislation dealing specifically with this matter. Please describe the practical working of this procedure (cf. Part V of the report form).

Article 9, paragraph 3. The Committee hopes that in due course the marine inspection authorities referred to in connection with Articles 4 and 6 of the Convention will adopt uniform lines for inspection reports, in conformity with this provision.

Article 10. The Committee hopes that an annual inspection report will be prepared and forwarded to the Office, as required by this Article.

Article 11. The Committee hopes information on training in on-board catering will become available soon.

Article 12. The Committee hopes that, in the absence of legislation dealing specifically with the collection and dissemination of up-to-date catering information, the Government will consider taking appropriate steps to apply this Article, and that it will provide all available information on any procedures currently operating.