Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No. 108) - Iran (Islamic Republic of) (Ratification: 1967)

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

Article 4(3) of the Convention. Form and content of seafarers’ identity documents. In its previous comment, the Committee observed that the new identity document does not appear to include any particulars concerning the bearer’s physical characteristics as required by Article 4(3)(d) of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that it has taken measures to create a seafarers’ database in order to collect physical characteristics of seafarers. Furthermore, the Committee notes that the Government indicates that physical characteristics of seafarers have been included in an updated version of seafarers’ documents as of 1 June 2014. The Committee requests the Government to provide a specimen of the updated identity document. Finally, the Committee notes that the Government has requested technical assistance and expects that the Office will meet this request.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Article 4(3) of the Convention. Form and content of seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes the regulations regarding the issuance of seafarers’ identity documents introduced in 1998. It also notes the new 40-page seaman’s book, which is written in Farsi and English, has a period of validity of five years and which is expected to progressively replace the seafarers’ identity cards issued previously. In this regard, the Committee observes that the new seafarers’ identity document does not appear to include any particulars concerning the bearer’s physical characteristics as required by Article 4(3)(d) of the Convention. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to explain how it is giving effect to this provision of the Convention.

In addition, the Committee notes that the new seafarers’ identity document also serves as a discharge certificate, or a seafarer’s employment record, and further notes that provision is made for masters’ remarks on seafarers’ ability and general conduct. The Committee recalls, in this connection, that Article 5(2) of the Seamen’s Articles of Agreement Convention, 1926 (No. 22), which has not yet been ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran, but also Standard A2.1(3) of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), seafarers’ records of employment must not contain any statement as to the quality of the seafarer’s work or his or her level of remuneration. The Committee invites the Government to consider possible action to align its regulations with international standards, especially in view of the preparations for the ratification and effective implementation of the MLC, 2006.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the statistical information provided in the Government’s report, according to which approximately 185,000 seafarer cards have been issued so far. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply up-to-date information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, statistical information on the number of seafarers’ identity documents issued during the reporting period, extracts from reports of the services entrusted with the enforcement of the relevant laws and regulations, or any difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention.

Finally, the Committee also seizes the opportunity to recall that the Convention has been revised by the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185), which was adopted by the ILO to enhance port and border security, while at the same time facilitating the seafarers’ right to shore leave, by developing a more secure and globally uniform seafarers’ identity document. The Committee therefore invites the Government to consider the possibility of ratifying Convention No. 185 in the very near future and to provide information on any decisions taken in this respect.

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

Article 4(3) of the Convention. Form and content of seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes the regulations regarding the issuance of seafarers’ identity documents introduced in 1998. It also notes the new 40-page seaman’s book, which is written in Farsi and English, has a period of validity of five years and which is expected to progressively replace the seafarers’ identity cards issued previously. In this regard, the Committee observes that the new seafarers’ identity document does not appear to include any particulars concerning the bearer’s physical characteristics as required by Article 4(3)(d) of the Convention. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to explain how it is given effect to this provision of the Convention.

In addition, the Committee notes that the new seafarers’ identity document also serves as a discharge certificate, or a seafarer’s employment record, and further notes that provision is made for masters’ remarks on seafarers’ ability and general conduct. The Committee recalls, in this connection, that Article 5(2) of the Seamen’s Articles of Agreement Convention, 1926 (No. 22), which has not yet been ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran, but also Standard A2.1(3) of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), seafarers’ records of employment must not contain any statement as to the quality of the seafarer’s work or his or her level of remuneration. The Committee invites the Government to consider possible action to align its regulations with international standards, especially in view of the preparations for the ratification and effective implementation of the MLC, 2006.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the statistical information provided in the Government’s report, according to which approximately 185,000 seafarer cards have been issued so far. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply up-to-date information on the practical application of the Convention, including, for instance, statistical information on the number of seafarers’ identity documents issued during the reporting period, extracts from reports of the services entrusted with the enforcement of the relevant laws and regulations, or any difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention.

Finally, the Committee also seizes the opportunity to recall that the Convention has been revised by the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185), which was adopted by the ILO to enhance port and border security, while at the same time facilitating the seafarers’ right to shore leave, by developing a more secure and globally uniform seafarers’ identity document. The Committee therefore invites the Government to consider the possibility of ratifying Convention No. 185 in the very near future and to keep the Office informed of any decisions taken in this respect.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report and the photocopy of the new identity document provided in the annex.

Article 4(6) of the Convention

The Committee requests the Government to provide details of the required consultations with shipowners’ and seafarers’ organizations concerning the precise form and content of the seafarers’ identity document.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report and the photocopy of the new identity document provided in the annex.

Article 4(6) of the Convention

The Committee requests the Government to provide details of the required consultations with shipowners’ and seafarers’ organizations concerning the precise form and content of the seafarers’ identity document.