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

Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185) - France (Ratification: 2004)

Articles 1 to 7 of the Convention. Seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention. It notes that, within the framework of the consultations held with the representative national employers’ and workers’ organizations before the ratification of the Convention, it was agreed that its application would be extended to fishers. The Committee also notes the explanations provided by the Government on the technical and financial considerations which have until now prevented the implementation of the Convention. It notes that both in its report and its interventions during the first meeting of the Preparatory Tripartite Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, Committee, held in Geneva in September 2010, the Government supported the possibility of incorporating a microchip into the seafarers’ identity document, in order to ensure compatibility with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Committee notes that, pending the issuance of the seafarers’ identity documents with biometric elements as provided for by the Convention, it has been deemed necessary to create a new maritime workbook, issued by an Order of 24 January 2007. The maritime workbook provides better guarantees of security, through the attribution of a serial number and the incorporation of a device for its traceability. It proves the holder’s status as an able seafarer under the terms of the regulated profession, but explicitly indicates that it does not constitute a seafarer’s identity document, and does not therefore correspond to the objectives of the Convention. The Committee is fully aware of the fact that the introduction of the devices and systems required for the implementation of the Convention may take some time, particularly in view of the highly technical nature of certain requirements and procedures and recommended practices. The Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to report on- progress made in the implementation of the Convention and requests it to provide the Office, upon the completion of its current assessment of the possibility of including a microchip in seafarers’ identity documents, as indicated in its report, all relevant information concerning the application of the Convention, including a specimen of the seafarers’ identity document which will be issued by the French authorities.