Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Accommodation of Crews (Fishermen) Convention, 1966 (No. 126) - Panama (Ratification: 1971)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in response to its previous comments concerning the application of Articles 1, 6, 7, 10, 12 and 15 of the Convention. It particularly notes the information indicating that the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), through the General Directorate of Seafarers, is responsible for authenticating and validating certificates relating to crew accommodation. Such a certificate must be present aboard each fishing vessel weighing over 75 tons (section 1 of resolution No. 614-257 ALCN of 1984). The certificate is issued following the inspection of the vessel by the relevant recognized bodies, on the basis of the form listing the criteria for crew accommodation (RACAD 10/02). This form allows for the effective monitoring of the application of all the standards relating to accommodation that are set forth in the Convention (section 2 of resolution No. 614-257 ALCN).

It is the Committee’s understanding that, by means of resolution No. J.D 022 of 14 August 2003, the General Directorate of Seafarers approved the regulations concerning maritime labour inspection. It requests that the Government submit a copy of this document. Furthermore, the Committee requests that the Government keep it informed of any developments concerning the finalization and possible adoption of the new Maritime Code which has been the subject of numerous comments made by the Committee in recent years.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the statistics provided by the Government concerning the number of inspections carried out aboard fishing vessels from June 1999 to December 2001. It would be grateful if the Government continued to submit, in accordance with Part V of the report form, general information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, reports from the labour inspection services indicating the contraventions reported and the follow-up thereto, details regarding the composition and capacity of the fishing fleet and any other information that would allow the Committee to better evaluate the compliance of national laws and practices with the requirements of the Convention.