Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Medical Examination (Fishermen) Convention, 1959 (No. 113) - Belgium (Ratification: 1963)

Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention. Nature of medical examinations. Validity of medical certificate. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the Royal Order of 24 May 2006 on certificates of competency of seafarers, which revises the provisions on medical examination contained in the Royal Order of 20 July 1973 issuing the regulations on maritime inspection (RIM). It notes, in particular, that section 102 of the Royal Order of 1973 has been amended and now provides that if the period of validity of a medical certificate expires in the course of a voyage the certificate will continue in force until the end of that voyage. The Committee also notes the Government’s reference to the Royal Order of 13 November 2009 on fishers’ certificates of competency which introduces a system of supervision and control of fishers’ medical certificates.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the number of fishers employed on board Belgian fishing vessels and the number of irregularities observed from October 2010 to May 2011 with regard to fishers’ certificates of competency and medical certificates. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing up-to-date information concerning the application of the Convention in practice. The Committee would also appreciate receiving a copy of the standard medical certificate form currently in use.

Finally, the Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188), which revises in an integrated manner most of the existing ILO fishing instruments. In particular, Articles 10 to 12 of Convention No. 188 essentially reproduce the provisions of the present Convention while affording greater flexibility in respect of vessels which are less than 24 metres in length and do not normally remain at sea for more than three days. The Committee invites the Government to give favourable consideration to the ratification of Convention No. 188 and to keep the Office informed of any decision taken in this regard.