Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No. 108) - Barbados (Ratification: 1967)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 2–6 of the Convention. Seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee recalls that it has been commenting for several years on the Government’s failure to apply the Convention. In particular, the Committee has been requesting the Government to: (i) reinstate the identity document for national seafarers; (ii) enact new regulations or amend existing ones so that foreign seafarers may enter Barbados with a valid identity document issued pursuant to this Convention; and (iii) provide copies of the relevant legislative and/or regulatory texts ensuring the application of the Convention. The Committee notes with concern the indication in the report of the Government that the Convention was not being implemented in either law or practice. The Committee further notes the indication by the Government that it encountered difficulties in finding a cost-effective solution for the issuance of identity documents for seafarers. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary steps without delay to ensure that its obligations under the Convention are fully respected and reminds the Government that it may seek technical assistance from the Office in this regard.

The Committee further recalls that the Convention has been revised by the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185). It draws the Government’s attention to its general observation addressing the recent amendments to the annexes of Convention No. 185.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.