Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No. 108) - Saint Lucia (Ratification: 1980)

Articles 3, 5 and 6 of the Convention. Seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee recalls the Government’s earlier statement that the Convention is applied through the Shipping Act 2001. The Committee notes, however, that with the exception of section 131 that deals with seafarer’s certificates of discharge, the Shipping Act does not contain any specific provisions regulating the procedure for issuing seafarer’s books – like the one appended to the Government’s last report. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the national laws or regulations prescribing the form and content of the seafarer’s book and giving effect to the following requirements of the Convention: seafarer’s identity document to remain in the seafarer’s possession at all times (Article 3); seafarer’s right to be readmitted to the territory of the country that issued the identity document (Article 5); and seafarer’s right to enter the territory of a country for which the Convention is in force for temporary shore leave or for the purpose of joining a ship, passing in transit to join a ship or for repatriation (Article 6). The Committee would appreciate receiving copies of any relevant texts which may not have been previously transmitted to the Office.

Moreover, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that it intends to examine the possibility of ratifying the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185). The Committee requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any decision taken in this regard. It also requests the Government to provide, in accordance with Part V of the report form, up to date information on the practical application of the Convention, including statistics on the number of seafarers’ identity documents issued during the reporting period.