Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Seafarers' Pensions Convention, 1946 (No. 71) - Lebanon (Ratification: 1993)

In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the question of establishing a seafarers’ pensions scheme was discussed at a meeting in which the Society of Lebanese Shipowners and the Federation of Maritime Transport Unions took part. There was agreement regarding the preparation of draft texts regulating the seafarers’ pension scheme, and the drafts will be discussed at subsequent meetings. The Government adds that Convention No. 71 is part of the national legislation by virtue of its ratification and that the need to amend the Maritime Commerce Code is purely a formality in that the Convention is a legislative text in force which may nevertheless require promulgation of implementing texts or regulations to be given effect. The provisions of the Convention can be inserted in regulations amending the Maritime Commerce Code.

The Committee notes this information with interest. It hopes that, as indicated in its report, the Government will be able to take all the necessary measures in the very near future to supplement the Maritime Commerce Code so as to establish a seafarers’ pensions scheme. The Committee recalls that, to be in conformity with the Convention, the scheme must guarantee payment of a pension for the duration of the contingency to all seafarers who retire from sea service and who fulfil the conditions of entitlement to a pension. It requests the Government to supply a copy of any text adopted in this regard.