Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 147) - Trinidad and Tobago (Ratification: 1999)

The Committee recalls that, in the framework of the Standards Review Mechanism, the ILO Governing Body, as recommended by the Special Tripartite Committee on the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006), classified Convention No. 147 as “outdated”. At its 343rd Session (November 2021), the Governing Body requested the Office to launch an initiative to promote the ratification on a priority basis of the MLC, 2006 among the countries still bound, inter alia, by Convention No. 147. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that necessary measures are being taken to give effect to the MLC, 2006, including through the adoption of a Shipping Bill, 2020 and the drafting of relevant supporting regulations. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any developments regarding the MLC, 2006 and reminds it of the possibility to avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee notes with deep concern the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the protection of seafarers’ rights as laid out in the Convention. In this regard, the Committee refers to the resolution adopted by the Governing Body in its 340th Session (GB.340/Resolution) concerning maritime labour issues and COVID-19 disease, which calls on Member States to take measures to address the adverse impacts of the pandemic on seafarers’ rights, and requests the Government to provide information in its next report on any temporary measures adopted in this regard, their duration and their impact on seafarers’ rights.

Article 2(a)(ii) of the Convention. Social security measures. In reply to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Shipping Act, 1987 (Chapter 50:10) was drafted with the understanding that matters related to social security measures would be addressed under other laws, as well as specific agreements between shipowners and seafarers, as applicable. The Government also refers to the Shipping Bill, 2020, which shall seek to address the issue of social security for seafarers. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any developments regarding the legislation providing substantially equivalent protection to seafarers concerning social security.

Article 2(d)(i). Complaints with respect to the engagement of seafarers. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to take the necessary measures to give effect to Article 2(d)(i). While noting the information on the preparation of the Shipping Bill, 2020, the Committee requests the Government once again to adopt the necessary measures to implement Article 2(d)(i).