CMNT_TITLE

Unemployment Indemnity (Shipwreck) Convention, 1920 (No. 8) - Iraq (RATIFICATION: 1966)

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. Unemployment indemnity in the event of shipwreck. The Committee notes the Government’s succinct report indicating that the points that the Committee has been raising for many years will be dealt with in the context of the new maritime legislation which is currently being drafted. The Committee understands that the Minister of Transportation has approved in May 2010 the final draft of the Maritime Authority Act for the purpose of organizing and developing the maritime sector as well as keeping pace with international standards with regard to safety, environmental protection, and seafarers’ conditions of employment. The Committee also understands that initiatives are under way with a view to rebuilding the Iraqi merchant fleet. The Committee requests the Government to specify how the Committee’s comments in connection with the payment of unemployment indemnity in the event of shipwreck have been reflected in the new maritime legislation. It also requests the Government to transmit a copy of the new maritime legislation once it has been adopted.

Moreover, the Committee recalls that the main provisions of the Convention are now reflected in Regulation 2.6 and the corresponding Code of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), which requires the payment of compensation in the event of the ship’s loss or foundering not only for the resulting unemployment but also for injury or loss. The Committee considers, therefore, that compliance with Convention No. 8 will facilitate the implementation of the respective provisions of the MLC, 2006. The Committee requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any further developments regarding the process of ratification and effective implementation of the MLC, 2006.