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

The Committee notes the Government’s latest report, as well as the observations made by the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB).

In its previous comments, the Committee had noted with regret from the Government’s reports that the seafarers’ identity document required under the Convention did not exist for national seafarers in Barbados, and that foreign seafarers holding identity documents issued pursuant to the Convention are not accorded the facilities provided for in that instrument.

It further noted from the Government’s report that the Immigration Department has no objections to accepting the responsibility for issuing the seafarers’ identity document provided for in the Convention, although it had never been charged to do so. The report referred to two possible solutions: amending the Immigration Act; or enacting new legislation to empower the Immigration Department to issue such documents.

In its latest report, the Government indicates that no legislation has been amended or enacted that would affect the application of the Convention. Changes had, however, occurred with respect to the practical application of the Convention, since, over the past 20 years, the lack of new opportunities had impacted severely on the seafaring industry, and the job opportunities offered to Barbadian seafarers had disappeared. This meant that, while the requisite regulations giving force of law to the Convention were in place, there were no situations in practice to apply them to.

The Government, however, does not give any indication as to whether, in the meantime, foreign seafarers holding identity documents issued pursuant to the Convention are accorded the facilities provided for in that instrument.

The Committee therefore again requests the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that its obligations under the Convention are fully respected, at least with regard to foreign seafarers calling in its ports, and to inform it of measures taken in this regard. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate any instances in which Barbadian seafarers apply for seafarers’ identity documents, and to describe the action taken to provide them with the requisite documents in accordance with the requirements of the Convention.

The Committee also wishes to revert to the observations made by the CTUSAB which, with a view to enhancing national and personal security, suggested that the Government of Barbados move to ratify the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185), which revises the present Convention and calls for improved security measures.

The Committee asks the Government to inform it of any consultations held and of any steps taken or envisaged with a view to ratifying Convention No. 185.