Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No. 108) - Liberia (Ratification: 1981)

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Previous comment

The Committee requested the Government to provide its comments in reply to the observations of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) received on 4 August 2017, according to which the practice of Liberia to require all non-national seafarers to have a seafarers’ identity document (SID) issued by its registry for the purpose of applying for special qualification certificates would contravene the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that its SID gives seafarers the protection afforded by Convention No. 108 and is therefore in compliance with it. The Government adds that seafarers from many countries serve on ships flying the Liberian flag and are expected to contribute to the safety of their team members and their vessels. Tracking and validating their qualifications and suitability to serve in the roles they seek for employment is consistent with the responsibilities of a flag State.

The Committee recalls that according to Article 2, paragraph 2, Members may issue a seafarer’s identity document to a seafarer who applies for such a document. However, requiring every seafarer to have a Liberian SID, including those who might have an SID issued by his or her country of nationality or permanent residence contravenes the objective of the Convention. Indeed, under both Convention No. 108 and the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185), the country of nationality or permanent residence of the seafarer has the primary responsibility to issue SIDs. Accordingly, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to give full application to Article 2, paragraph 2 of the Convention by ensuring that SIDs are issued only upon request by the seafarer concerned and not as a precondition to apply for special qualification certificates.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

The Committee notes the observations of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) received on 4 August 2017. The ITF considers that, in relation to the issuance of seafarers’ identity documents to non-nationals, a number of Members who operate flag of convenience registries are not in full compliance with Convention No. 108. In this regard, the ITF indicates that Liberia requires non-national seafarers to have a seafarers’ identity document (SID) issued by its registry for the purpose of applying for special qualification certificates. In the ITF’s view, this practice contravenes Convention No. 108.The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

The Committee notes the observations of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) received on 4 August 2017. The ITF considers that, in relation to the issuance of seafarers’ identity documents to non-nationals, a number of Members who operate flag of convenience registries are not in full compliance with Convention No. 108. In this regard, the ITF indicates that Liberia requires non-national seafarers to have a seafarers’ identity document (SID) issued by its registry for the purpose of applying for special qualification certificates. In the ITF’s view, this practice contravenes Convention No. 108. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Articles 5 and 6 of the Convention. Readmission to the territory and permission to enter a territory. The Committee notes that section 4.2.1 of the Requirements for Merchant Marine Personnel (RLM-118, Rev. 06/2012) provides that the Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB) is a document issued to personnel serving aboard Liberian flag vessels for the purposes of providing the holder with identity papers for travel to or from an assigned vessel. In this connection, the Committee recalls that: (a) any seafarer who holds a valid seafarers’ identity document issued by the competent authority of a territory for which this Convention is in force shall be readmitted to that territory, including during a period of at least one year after any date of expiry indicated in the said document (Article 5 of the Convention); and (b) each member shall permit the entry into a territory for which this Convention is in force for temporary shore leave or – provided that the document contains space for appropriate entries – for the purpose of joining a ship, passing in transit to join a ship or for repatriation (Article 6). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on how it gives effect to these provisions of the Convention.

The Committee further recalls that the Convention has been revised by the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185). It draws the Government’s attention to its general observation addressing the recent amendments to the annexes of Convention No. 185.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes with satisfaction the information contained in the Government's report and the specimen of the Liberian Seaman's Identification and Record Book containing particulars of the date and place of birth, nationality, physical characteristics and signature or, a thumbprint as required by Article 4, paragraph 3(b), (d) and (f), of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

Article 4, paragraph 3(b), (c), (d) and (f), of the Convention. The Committee recalls that the seamen's identity and service document appears to contain no provision for the information required under the terms of this Article (date and place of birth, nationality, physical characteristics and, in the absence of signature, a thumbprint). It hopes that it will be possible to add these particulars and that the Government will give details.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

Article 4, paragraph 3(b), (c), (d) and (f), of the Convention. The Committee recalls that the seamen's identity and service document appears to contain no provision for the information required under the terms of this Article (date and place of birth, nationality, physical characteristics and, in the absence of signature, a thumbprint). It hopes that it will be possible to add these particulars and that the Government will give details.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

The Committee notes that for two consecutive years 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:

Article 4, paragraph 3, subparagraphs (b), (c), (d) and (f), of the Convention. The Committee recalls that the seamen's identity and service document appears to contain no provision for the information required under the terms of this Article (date and place of birth, nationality, physical characteristics and, in the absence of signature, a thumbprint). It hopes that it will be possible to add these particulars.

Articles 5 and 6. Further to its earlier comments, the Committee has noted with interest the direct contacts which took place in May 1989 between the representatives of the ILO Director-General and the government authorities concerned. It hopes that, as the Government has indicated, the application of Article 5 will be ensured by the provisions of the new labour law which has already been approved by the House of Representatives and is awaiting approval by the Senate. It hopes that the provisions of Article 6 will also be taken into account.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

The Committee notes with regret 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:

Article 4, paragraph 3, subparagraphs (b), (c), (d) and (f), of the Convention. The Committee recalls that the seamen's identity and service document appears to contain no provision for the information required under the terms of this Article (date and place of birth, nationality, physical characteristics and, in the absence of signature, a thumbprint). It hopes that it will be possible to add these particulars.

Articles 5 and 6. Further to its earlier comments, the Committee has noted with interest the direct contacts which took place in May 1989 between the representatives of the ILO Director-General and the government authorities concerned. It hopes that, as the Government has indicated, the application of Article 5 will be ensured by the provisions of the new labour law which has already been approved by the House of Representatives and is awaiting approval by the Senate. It hopes that the provisions of Article 6 will also be taken into account.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

Article 4, paragraph 3, subparagraphs (b), (c), (d) and (f), of the Convention. The Committee recalls that the seamen's identity and service document appears to contain no provision for the information required under the terms of this Article (date and place of birth, nationality, physical characteristics and, in the absence of signature, a thumbprint). It hopes that it will be possible to add these particulars.

Articles 5 and 6. Further to its earlier comments, the Committee has noted with interest the direct contacts which took place in May 1989 between the representatives of the ILO Director-General and the government authorities concerned. It hopes that, as the Government has indicated, the application of Article 5 will be ensured by the provisions of the new labour law which has already been approved by the House of Representatives and is awaiting approval by the Senate. It hopes that the provisions of Article 6 will also be taken into account.