Marking of Weight (Packages Transported by Vessels) Convention, 1929 (No. 27) - Honduras (Ratification: 1980)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

The Committee notes the observations of the Honduran National Business Council (COHEP) provided in a communication dated 29 August 2025.

Previously, the Committee had noted the Government’s intention to hold regular meetings with the aim of reviewing, on a tripartite basis, the requirements of the Convention in the context of developments in cargo transportation methods, and requested it to provide updates on consultations held with the social partners thereon. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that coordination and dialogue have been maintained with key stakeholders, including the COHEP, to align national procedures on cargo weight verification with international standards. While exchanges are at a development stage, they aim to align national procedures with international standards and promote private sector compliance through a process of social dialogue and technical coordination. However, the Committee also notes COHEP’s statement that no consultations have recently been held and that the matter has not been discussed within the Economic and Social Council (CES), the body responsible for tripartite dialogue. Observing the discrepancy of views between the Government’s report and COHEP’s position, the Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the development of consultations with the social partners, including COHEP, concerning the implementation of the Convention in relation to modern methods of cargo transport. In particular, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the mechanisms through which such dialogue is conducted, including whether it took place through established tripartite consultation mechanisms like the CES, and any outcomes or measures adopted as a result that would impact the application of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes the observations by the Honduran National Business Council (COHEP), received on 22 August 2017, as well as the Government’s response to those observations. The Committee recalls that in its direct request of 2012 it noted that the Government did not provide any comments on the COHEP observations of 2008, indicating that it was fully in favour of a revision of the Convention to take account of developments in cargo transportation methods. The Committee also notes the observations of COHEP, in which it states that it has not been informed by the Government that the latter intends to revise the national legislation in respect of the Convention. COHEP adds that neither has the Government indicated that it intends to discuss the matter in the Economic and Social Council (responsible for tripartite discussions on these matters). In its response, the Government indicates that it was awaiting more information on the observations submitted in 2008 by COHEP, given that the representative of that organization put forward arguments that were unrelated to the matter. The Government indicates in its 2017 report that the Convention was publicized during two sessions, on 3 August 2017, which COHEP did not attend, and on 15 August 2017. The Government also proposed holding regular meetings with the aim of reviewing, on a tripartite basis, the requirements of the Convention and both partners agreed to support the initiative. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the consultations held with the social partners, including COHEP, in the context of developments in cargo transportation methods.

With reference to its general observation of 2007 on the application of the Convention, the Committee recalls that it invites Governments to provide information on how the Convention is applied in relation to modern methods of cargo handling, particularly with regard to containers. In this respect, the Committee notes that the Directorate General of Merchant Shipping issued Order No. DGMM 008-2016 on 24 June 2016, implementing the amendments to Regulation 2 of Chapter VI of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS Convention), which entered into force on 1 July 2016, and which refers to the verified gross weight of a full container. The Committee notes that this Order constitutes a measure contributing to the application of Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide all information it considers useful on the application of Order No. DGMM 008-2016 of the Directorate General for Merchant Shipping.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, there have not been any changes in the legislation. It also notes that the Government has not made any comments in relation to the communication by the Honduran National Business Council (COHEP) in 2008, in which it indicated that it was fully in favour of a revision of the Convention in order to take account of developments in methods for the transportation of loads. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide all relevant information relating to this Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee notes that, following its 2007 general observation, the Private Enterprise Council of Honduras (COHEP) indicates in its comments communicated to the Government in September 2008 that it is fully in favour of a revision of the Convention to take into account developments in the methods of transporting loads. The COHEP adds that it is participating in the current revision of the Regulations of the Central American Uniform Customs Code. The Committee requests the Government to provide any relevant information in its next regular report due in 2012 in reply to the 2007 direct request and the comments of the COHEP, with an indication of any difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention in relation to modern methods of handling loads, and particularly containers.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

1. The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report, in particular the adoption of resolution No. 85-2002 concerning the Central American Uniform Customs Code and its implementing regulations of 27 September 2002. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that this is the only legislation which currently enables the provisions of the Convention to be applied. It understands that the legislation which used to give effect to the provisions of the Convention, namely Decree No. 951 of 9 May 1980 and Circular No. 4 of the Ministry of Labour dated 16 November 1983, is no longer in force. In this respect, the Committee wishes to emphasize that the new legislation does not conform to the provisions of the present Convention since it is a question of manifests containing the volume and weight of the cargo and not a plain and durable marking of the weight on the outside of packages. The Committee asks the Government to state which provisions are applicable to packages as required by Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

2. With regard to the question of possible difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention in relation to modern methods of cargo handling, with particular reference to containers, the Committee requests the Government to refer to the general observation that it is making on the Convention at the present session.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report. The Committee recalls that the Government had expressed support in 1991 for a possible revision of the Convention with a view to guaranteeing safety in the handling of containers. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate whether there are any specific problems in the application of the Convention to containers in practice and to report any difficulties encountered in this respect.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government's opinion, as expressed in its last report, that it would be appropriate to revise the Convention with a view to guaranteeing safety in the handling of containers. The Committee requests the Government to supply information in its next report on the manner in which this Convention is applied to containers.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

The Committee notes the information concerning the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice supplied by the Government in its report (point V of the report form on the Convention).

The Committee also refers to the general observation of 1987 (see International Labour Conference, 73rd Session, Report III, Part A, p. 86) and the general direct request of 1988 on this Convention and requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the manner in which the Convention is applied to containers in national law and practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee noted the information on the practical application of the Convention supplied by the Government in its report in reply to its previous direct request (point V of the report form on the Convention) and hopes that future reports will continue to supply such information.

Furthermore, the Committee refers to the general observation on this Convention which it made last year (cf. International Labour Conference, 73rd Session, Report No. III, Part A, p. 86) and requests the Government to provide full particulars in its next report on the manner in which both statutory and practical effect are given to the Convention in respect of containers.