Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Marking of Weight (Packages Transported by Vessels) Convention, 1929 (No. 27) - Bangladesh (Ratification: 1972)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report and of the observations of the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation included in the report, which indicates that it believes that the Government would shortly frame the regulation referenced by the Committee in order to follow the provisions of this Convention.

Article 1(1) of the Convention. Regulation of ports and indication of gross weight. The Committee notes the information that the regulation for Chittagong and Mongla ports under the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 have not been framed yet. The Committee also notes that, according to the Government, it is a regular practice that the gross weight package of one metric ton or more is plainly and durably marked upon it on the outside before it is loaded on a ship or vessel for transport by sea or inland waterway. The Committee hopes that the referred regulations will be adopted in the near future and asks once again the Government to communicate copies of these regulations as soon as they are published.

Regulation of ports for inland navigation. With reference to its previous comments the Committee notes that the Government might give due consideration to extend the application of the existing regulations to the port of Chalna and other ports for inland navigation, and that this process would require tripartite consultation with the stakeholders. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the relevant rules for the marking of gross weight upon any package or object of one metric ton consigned within the territory of the state for transport by inland waterway. It also asks once again the Government to examine the possibility of extending the scope of application of the abovementioned regulations to the port of Chalna and other ports of inland navigation to ensure the full application of the provisions of the Convention.

Modernization of ports. The Committee notes the information that developments projects have been implemented to modernize the Mongla Port and to improve its efficiency. It also notes that the Government declares that it is committed to take the necessary measures to modernize other ports in the country, including the Chalna port. The Committee hopes that these developments will facilitate the full application of the Convention and requests the Government to continue providing information on any development in this respect.