The Committee notes the reports provided by the Government on the application of the maritime Conventions. With a view to providing an overview of the matters raised in relation to the application of these Conventions, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine them in a single comment, as follows.

The Committee notes that, based on the recommendations of the Special Tripartite Committee established under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006), the Governing Body has decided that member States for which Convention No. 23 is in force should be encouraged to ratify the MLC, 2006 (see GB.334/LILS/2). In this context, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on any future developments concerning the ratification of the MLC, 2006.

Repatriation of Seamen Convention, 1926 (No. 23)

Implementing legislation and other measures. In its previous comments, the Committee had requested the Government to identify the legislation implementing the requirements of the Convention and to provide an example of a relevant collective agreement setting out the conditions that apply to repatriation. The Committee notes that the Government does not provide a reply to this request nor does it submit any additional information. The Committee notes that section 48.21 of the Merchant Shipping Code of Azerbaijan stipulates, in relation to shipowners’ liability, that any shipowner should provide for the members of the crew salaries and other sums to be paid to them as well as repatriation expenses. It further notes that according to section 195 of the same Code, salaries and other amounts to be paid to the captain and crew members, including repatriation cost, shall be subject to insurance. The Committee has not identified any other legal provision giving effect to the Convention. Noting that the Government has not transmitted a copy of the relevant collective agreement nor indicated any other national legislation giving effect to the provisions of the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to adopt without delay the necessary measures to implement the Convention.

Accommodation of Crews Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 92)

Article 3 of the Convention. Implementing legislation. The Committee requested the Government to indicate the measures taken to give effect to several provisions of the Convention regarding specific aspects of crew accommodation (Article 6(2). Design and construction; Article 10(1). Sleeping rooms to be situated above the load line amidships or aft; Articles 11(1), 12(1) and 13(12). Mess rooms, open decks and washing/drying facilities; Article 15(2). Office space). The Committee notes the Government’s indication in this regard that international agreements to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party are an integral part of the law of the country. It further notes that the Government states that Parts II, III and IV of the Convention are given effect through its direct application.

Article 5. Ship inspection in case of complaint. The Committee requested the Government to specify the provisions that require an inspection of the crew accommodation of a ship every time a complaint is submitted by a seafarers’ organization. The Committee notes that any complaint about unsuitable crew accommodation is made to the port State control (PSC) inspectors or flag State control (FSC) inspectors or to the port master. If a complaint is received stating that the crew accommodation does not comply with the requirements of the Convention, the vessel is examined by PSC or FSC inspectors in line with the requirements of the Convention. While noting this information, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the applicable national provisions implementing the PSC and FSC systems of inspections.

Article 13(5). Sanitary facilities – exceptions. The Committee previously noted that sections 2.9.1.1 and 2.9.1.5 of the Sanitary Rules permitted the possible reduction in the number of sanitary facilities in ships engaged on voyages of not more than eight hours’ duration. It also recalled, however, that Article 13(5) of the Convention authorizes special arrangements or a reduction in the number of facilities required only for passenger vessels normally engaged on voyages of not more than four hours’ duration. The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary steps in order to bring the provisions of the Sanitary Rules into line with the Convention.

Accommodation of Crews (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1970 (No. 133)

Article 3 of the Convention. Implementing legislation. The Committee requested the Government to indicate the measures taken to give effect to some provisions of the Convention regarding specific aspects of crew accommodation, namely (Article 7(2). Recreation accommodation, bookcase and facilities for reading, writing and games; and Article 8(6). Facilities for washing, drying and ironing). The Committee notes the Government’s indication in this regard that in accordance with article 148(2) of the Constitution, international agreements to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party are an integral part of the law of the country. It further notes that the Government states that Part II of the Convention is given effect through its direct application.

Prevention of Accidents (Seafarers) Convention, 1970 (No. 134)

Article 3 of the Convention. Research undertaken into general trends as brought out by statistics. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s statement that a Maritime Investigations Department would be created within the Maritime Administration. It requested the Government to provide information on this Department once established, as well as the findings resulting from the research in relation to general trends as are brought out by statistics on hazards due to maritime employment. In its reply, the Government indicates that as a result of the establishment of a Maritime Research Department within the Maritime Administration, work in this area is currently in progress. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the work of the Department and on any findings resulting from that work in relation to the prevention of accidents.

Article 7. Accident prevention committee. The Committee requested the Government to indicate the legislation giving effect to this Article of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that this provision is given effect by the Service on Sea-going Ships Regulations of Azerbaijan, approved by Decision No. 83 of the Cabinet of Ministers on 20 May 2000.

Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 147)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report contains no reply to its previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request.

Article 2(a)(ii) of the Convention. Social security measures. Noting that the Government did not respond to its previous request on this point, the Committee requests once again the Government to determine which of the three Conventions – that is, the Shipowners’ Liability (Sick and Injured Seamen) Convention, 1936 (No. 55), the Sickness Insurance (Sea) Convention, 1936 (No. 56), or the Medical Care and Sickness Benefits Convention, 1969 (No. 130) – it intends to apply for the purposes of this Convention.

Article 2(a)(iii). Shipboard conditions of employment. Articles of agreement. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Merchant Shipping Code of 22 June 2001 is silent as regards the issuance of seafarers’ records of employment. In the absence of a reply, the Committee therefore requests the Government once again to clarify how substantial equivalence is ensured with Article 5 of the Seamen’s Articles of Agreement Convention, 1926 (No. 22), which provides that every seafarer must be given a document containing a record of employment on board the vessel and that this document should not contain any statement as to the quality of the seafarer’s work or the amount of the seafarer’s wages.

Article 2(d)(ii). Complaints with respect to engagement of seafarers. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that Article 2(d) of the Convention is implemented through provisions of the Labour Code, without however making any reference to specific provisions. The Committee recalls that pursuant to Article 2(d)(ii), Members should ensure that adequate procedures exist for the investigation of any complaint made in connection with and, if possible, at the time of the engagement in its territory of seafarers of its own nationality on ships registered in a foreign country, and that such complaint, as well as any complaint made in connection with and, if possible, at the time of the engagement in its territory of foreign seafarers on ships registered in a foreign country, is promptly reported by its competent authority to the competent authority of the country in which the ship is registered, with a copy to the Director-General of the ILO. The Committee requests the Government to provide clarification as to which specific provision of national legislation implements the requirements under Article 2(d)(ii) of the Convention and to describe the existing procedures, if any, for the examination of complaints made in connection with the engagement in its territory of seafarers, both nationals and non-nationals, on foreign-registered ships.