Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 2010, publiée 100ème session CIT (2011)

Articles 2–5 of the Convention. Seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention and the attached documents. It notes, in particular, the adoption of Regulation No. 30 of 3 July 2008 on seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs) which establishes the procedures for the issuance of SIDs and sets out standards on their form and content giving full effect to the requirements of Article 3 of the Convention. While recognizing the significant effort made by the Government in order to put in place and effectively operate a secure SID production, delivery and data storage system, the Committee requests the Government to provide additional explanations on: (i) the functioning of the national electronic database (including accessibility of seafarers to personal records and procedure for inquiry of focal point concerning the authenticity of issued SIDs); and (ii) any independent evaluation of the administration of the SID system which may have been carried out so far and the results obtained.

Article 7(1). Continuous possession. The Committee notes that, under section 8(1) of Regulation No. 30 of 2008, the SID is to be kept by the ship’s master throughout the period of the seafarer’s engagement as crew member. It recalls, however, that Article 7(1) of the Convention provides that the SID must stay in the seafarer’s possession at all times, except when it is held for safekeeping by the master of the ship, with the seafarer’s written consent. The Government is requested to clarify how it is ensured that, in principle, the SID remains in the seafarer’s possession at all times, and that it may only be handed over to the ship’s master upon his/her prior written consent.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee understands that, to date, approximately 5,200 SIDs have been issued. The Committee requests the Government to supply up-to-date information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, statistical information on the number of SIDs issued during the reporting period, extracts from official reports and any difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention.