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

The Committee notes the Government’s report on the application of the Convention.

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Issuance. According to section 2(1) of the Rules on Seafarers’ Books, seafarers’ books are only issued to seafarers who are Slovenian nationals and crew members of ships of the merchant marine of Slovenia. The Convention, however, provides that a Member for which this Convention is in force shall issue a seafarer’s identity document to each of its nationals who is a seafarer on application by him. The Committee thus draws to the Government’s attention that, under the Convention, the issuance of seafarers’ identity documents is not limited to engagement on national ships or vessels of a particular flag. The Committee, therefore, requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that national legislation implementing the Convention provides for the issuance, on personal application, of seafarers’ identity documents to all Slovenian seafarers, regardless as to whether they are working on board vessels flying the Slovenian flag.

Article 5, paragraph 2. Re-admission. Section 153 of the Maritime Code provides that a seafarer’s book may, inter alia, be used by the crew member as a document for foreign travel in order to return to Slovenia after disembarking from a ship abroad. The Committee understands that a seafarer holding a valid seafarer’s book issued by the competent Slovenian authority would be re-admitted to Slovenia. It asks the Government, however, to indicate whether a seafarer holding a valid seafarer’s book issued by the competent Slovenian authority would also be re‑admitted to Slovenia during a period of at least one year after the date of expiry indicated in that document.

Article 6, paragraph 3. Evidence. The Government does not provide information as to whether and what evidence, including documentary evidence, is required from the seafarer, the owner or agent concerned, or from the appropriate consul, of a seafarer’s intention and of his ability to carry out that intention. Please indicate what evidence, if any, is required from a seafarer before permitting entry for the purposes of joining ship or transferring, passing in transit or any other purpose approved by the Slovenian authorities (Article 6, paragraph 2).