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

Fishermen's Competency Certificates Convention, 1966 (No. 125) - Panama (Ratification: 1970)

Other comments on C125

Direct Request

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Articles 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 of the Convention. Minimum age –Professional experience – Examinations. The Committee has been drawing the Government’s attention for several years on the failure of the national legislation to give effect to specific requirements of the Convention. More concretely, the Committee has noted that Resolution No. 008-2001 of 12 February 2001, sets the minimum age for performing the duties of skipper or engineer on board a fishing vessel at 18 years, which is inconsistent with Article 6(1) of the Convention. In addition, the Committee has noted that the same Resolution prescribes a minimum professional experience for skippers and engineers of fishing vessels which is lower than that required by the Convention. Finally, the Committee has commented on the absence of any legal requirement to sit written examinations in order to obtain a certificate of competency, with the exception of those who are not in possession of a valid qualification issued by a country appearing on the white list and issued by a training centre meeting certain requirements, in accordance with Resolution No. 023-2001 of 5 December 2001. With respect to all these issues, the Government has indicated its intention to revise the regulations in force so as to fully harmonize its legislation with the requirements of the Convention. In its last report, the Government limits itself to stating that Resolution No. 008-2001 is being revised and that the two pilot projects on processes to assess maritime competency, to which reference was made in its previous report, are still at the preliminary study stage. The Committee hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures without further delay in order to bring the national legislation into full compliance with the requirements of the Convention. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the text amending Resolution No. 008-2001 once it is adopted.