Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Azerbaijan

Repatriation of Seamen Convention, 1926 (No. 23) (Ratification: 1992)
Accommodation of Crews Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 92) (Ratification: 1992)
Accommodation of Crews (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1970 (No. 133) (Ratification: 1992)
Prevention of Accidents (Seafarers) Convention, 1970 (No. 134) (Ratification: 1992)
Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 147) (Ratification: 1992)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues to be addressed in relation to the application of maritime Conventions, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine these issues in a single comment, as follows.

Repatriation of Seamen Convention, 1926 (No. 23). Implementing legislation and other measures. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the destinations and other elements relating to repatriation are set out in collective agreements and that shipowners are responsible for these costs and must also have in place insurance to cover these costs. The Committee requests the Government to identify the legislation implementing these requirements and to provide an example of a relevant collective agreement setting out the conditions that apply to repatriation.

Accommodation of Crews Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 92). The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no reply to its previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request:

Article 3 of the Convention. Implementing legislation. The Committee requests once again the Government to provide additional explanations on any consultations with shipowners’ and seafarers’ organizations concerning the framing and administration of regulations related to crew accommodation, and also to transmit the text of any new laws or regulations that may be adopted on these matters.

Article 5. Ship inspection in case of complaint. The Committee requests again the Government to specify the legal provisions that require an inspection of the crew accommodation of a ship every time that a complaint is submitted by a seafarers’ organization.

Article 6(2). Design and construction. The Committee requests once again the Government to indicate what provisions prohibit direct openings into sleeping rooms from spaces for cargo and machinery or from galleys, lamp and paint rooms or from engine deck and other bulk storerooms, drying rooms, communal wash places or water closets.

Article 10(1). Sleeping rooms. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the legal provisions providing that sleeping rooms shall be situated above the load line amidships or aft.

Articles 11(1), 12(1) and 13(12). Mess rooms, open decks and washing/drying facilities. The Committee previously noted that sections 2.3.1, 2.6.1 and 2.8.1 of the Sanitary Rules did not provide for mess rooms, open deck area for recreation of crew, and washing and drying facilities for all ships, as prescribed by these Articles of the Convention. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to take appropriate action in order to bring its legislation into conformity with the Convention.

Article 13(5). Sanitary facilities – exceptions. The Committee previously noted that sections 2.9.1.1 and 2.9.1.5 of the Sanitary Rules permitted the possible reduction in the number of sanitary facilities in ships engaged on voyages of not more than eight hours’ duration. It also recalled, however, that Article 13(5) of the Convention authorizes special arrangements or a reduction in the number of facilities required only for passenger vessels normally engaged on voyages of not more than four hours’ duration. The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary steps in order to bring the provisions of the Sanitary Rules into line with the Convention.

Article 15(2). Office space. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the legal provision providing that in ships of over 3,000 tons, one room for the deck department and one room for the engine department shall be provided and equipped for use as an office.

Practical application. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the practical application of the Convention, including for instance, information on the number of seafarers and ships covered by the measures giving effect to the Convention, inspection results showing the number and nature of deficiencies observed in the field of crew accommodation, as well as copies of inspection forms and checklists currently in use.

Accommodation of Crews (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1970 (No. 133). The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no reply to its previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the following matters raised in its previous comments.

Article 7(2). Recreation accommodation. The Committee requests once again the Government to indicate how it is ensured that furnishings for recreation accommodation include as a minimum a bookcase and facilities for reading, writing and games.

Article 8(6). Facilities for washing, drying and ironing. The Committee requests once again the Government to indicate how it is ensured that all ships have facilities for washing, drying and ironing clothes.

Practical application. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, information on the number of seafarers and ships covered by the measures giving effect to the Convention, inspections results, relevant clauses of collective agreements or any difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention.

Prevention of Accidents (Seafarers) Convention, 1970 (No. 134). Article 3. Research undertaken into general trends as are brought out by statistics. The Committee notes the Government’s statement in its report that a Maritime Investigations Department will be established within the Maritime Administration. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the Maritime Investigations Department once it has been established, as well as the findings resulting from the research in relation to general trends as are brought out by statistics on hazards due to maritime employment.

Article 7. Accident prevention committee. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the legislation giving effect to this Article of the Convention, and to provide copies of the relevant legal texts.

Article 8. Programmes for the prevention of occupational accidents. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the major shipping companies in the country participate in the implementation of programmes for the prevention of occupational accidents, which are under the control of the Maritime Administration. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to provide detailed information on the programmes established in this respect, indicating the manner in which the cooperation and participation of shipowners, seafarers, and their organizations, as well as other interested bodies, are assured.

Practical application. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, extracts from the reports of the inspection services, information on the number of workers covered by the legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported and the resulting actions taken, and statistics on the number of occupational accidents reported.

Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 147). Implementing legislation and other measures. The Committee notes the Government’s statement in its report that, in accordance with article 148(2) of the Constitution, “international treaties to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party shall be an integral part of the legislative system of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, and that all ILO Conventions ratified by Azerbaijan have the force of national law. The Committee wishes to recall, however, that ratifying States are under the obligation to take the necessary measures to bring their national laws and practice into conformity with the provisions of international labour Conventions.

Article 2(a)(ii). Social security measures. Noting that the Government did not respond to its previous request on this point, the Committee requests once again the Government to determine which of the three Conventions – that is, the Shipowners’ Liability (Sick and Injured Seamen) Convention, 1936 (No. 55), the Sickness Insurance (Sea) Convention, 1936 (No. 56), or the Medical Care and Sickness Benefits Convention, 1969 (No. 130) – it intends to apply for the purposes of this Convention.

Article 2(a)(iii). Shipboard conditions of employment. Articles of agreement. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Merchant Shipping Code of 22 June 2001 is silent as regards the issuance of seafarers’ records of employment. In the absence of a reply, the Committee therefore requests the Government once again to clarify how substantial equivalence is ensured with Article 5 of the Seamen’s Articles of Agreement Convention, 1926 (No. 22), which provides that every seafarer must be given a document containing a record of employment on board the vessel and that this document should not contain any statement as to the quality of the seafarer’s work or the amount of the seafarer’s wages. In addition, the Committee notes that the Government did not provide a copy of the collective agreement concluded between the management and the employees of the State Caspian Maritime Shipping Company, as requested in its previous comments. The Committee accordingly requests once again the Government to provide a copy of the collective agreement in question.

Article 2(d)(ii). Complaints with respect to engagement of seafarers. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that Article 2(d) of the Convention is implemented through provisions of the Labour Code, without however making any reference to specific provisions. The Committee requests the Government to provide clarification as to which specific provision of national legislation implements the requirements under Article 2(d)(ii) of the Convention and to describe the existing procedures, if any, for the examination of complaints made in connection with the engagement in its territory of seafarers, both nationals and non-nationals, on foreign registered ships.

Article 2(e). Vocational training. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to paragraphs 1.2–1.17 of the Regulations on the Certification of Merchant Shipping Crews as the measures implementing the requirements of the Convention as regards vocational training of seafarers. It also notes that section III of the latter Regulations provides for the aspects covered by training courses and certificates, in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended. However, the Committee notes that the Government did not provide any detailed information on seafarers’ training activities (curricula, duration, financing) and the training institutions involved, as requested in its previous comments. The Committee accordingly requests once again the Government to provide information in respect of seafarers’ training activities.

Articles 2(f) and 4. Ship inspections. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Cabinet of Ministers Decree No. 59 of 4 April 2013 is the main provision giving effect to the requirements of the Convention as regards ship inspections. It also notes that the Maritime Administration has currently nine inspectors who have conducted 526 port State control inspections and 171 flag State control inspections during the reporting period. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing detailed information on: (i) the organization and functioning of the services responsible for the periodic inspection of the working and living conditions on board Azerbaijan-registered vessels (including results of inspection visits, number and nature of complaints received and action taken); and (ii) the measures taken – including detention – to rectify any conditions on board foreign-flagged ships visiting Azeri ports which are clearly hazardous to the seafarers’ health or safety.

Practical application. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the practical application of the Convention, including for instance, the number of seafarers covered by the relevant legislation, copies of any standardized inspection checklist or inspection report form, copies of applicable collective agreements, and activity reports of port authorities.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2016.]