Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

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

The Committee notes resolution No. J.D 022 of 14 August 2003, section 15 of which provides that all ships flying the Panamanian flag shall carry on board the crew accommodation inspection certificate authenticated by the Directorate General of Seafarers. It also notes that, under section 16 of this resolution, the maritime labour inspectorate has to check compliance with ILO Conventions Nos 68, 92 and 126 on crew accommodation. The Committee notes in this regard that, to obtain a crew accommodation certificate, fishing vessels have to be inspected by an approved technical company which checks compliance with the provisions of the Convention. The Committee also notes that the preliminary draft Maritime Code is currently in the process of being revised. The Committee hopes that this draft will be adopted soon and requests the Government to keep it informed of any developments in this regard.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the number of inspections carried out on board fishing vessels during the period 2002–06. It also notes that the Department of Maritime Social Affairs of the Panama Maritime Authority has drawn up a list of the steps to be taken during inspections on board Panamanian ships, including fishing vessels, with a view to checking compliance with the provisions relating to seafarers’ living and working conditions. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of this document. The Government is also requested to continue providing general information on the application of the Convention in practice, including, for example, extracts from the reports of the labour inspection services, as well as information on the number of fishing vessels of different categories flying the Panamanian flag.

In addition, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the new Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188), which was adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 96th Session (June 2007) and revises and updates most ILO instruments on fishing, including Convention No. 126. The Committee requests the Government to give all due attention to this new global instrument on the working and living conditions of fishers and to keep the Office informed of any decisions which it might take with a view to its possible ratification.