Fishermen's Competency Certificates Convention, 1966 (No. 125) - Syrian Arab Republic (Ratification: 1969)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Articles 4 to 12 of the Convention. Standards of qualification for certificates of competency. Further to its previous comments, in which the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the implementing legislation, and in particular to transmit a copy of Ministerial Order No. 1618 of 22 October 2003, the Committee notes that the Government has provided the requested text. The Government indicates that pursuant to this Ministerial Order, a skipper’s certificate may be awarded to anyone who fulfils certain conditions, including minimum age, minimum professional experience and successful examination on certain subject matters. The Committee takes note of this information.

The Committee further notes that, in reply to its previous comments in which it requested the Government to provide information on any progress made concerning the announced establishment of a training and certification centre under the General Directorate of Ports, the Government indicates that training centres and the Maritime Institute of the General Organization for Maritime Training and Qualification run training courses and award certificates of aptitude of seafarers. The Government further indicates that the Maritime Institute will also be able to run training courses leading to the award of certificates of competence for seafarers working on board fishing vessels, once the necessary decisions and laws are promulgated. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of such decisions and laws, once promulgated, and to indicate the relevant provisions that give full effect to the Convention.

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

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

Articles 4 to 12 of the Convention. Standards of qualification for certificates of competency. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that at present there are 20 fishing vessels to which the Convention applies and registered under the Syrian flag. The Committee recalls, in this respect, that for several years no information had been provided on implementing legislation as the Government indicated that there was only a very small number of fishing vessels over 25 gross tons and that their activity was limited to coastal waters. In its last two reports, however, the Government made reference to Ministerial Order No. 1618 of 22 October 2003, and to Act No. 57 of 2001 on marine certificates as giving effect to the provisions of this Convention and further indicated that it was planning to establish a training and certification centre attached to the General Directorate of Ports. The Committee once again requests the Government to transmit copies of the abovementioned texts and give full particulars as to how effect is given to the specific certification requirements prescribed by the Convention with respect to minimum age, minimum professional experience and examinations for skippers, mates and engineers of fishing vessels. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on any progress made concerning the announced establishment of a training and certification centre under the General Directorate of Ports.

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

Articles 4 to 12 of the Convention. Standards of qualification for certificates of competency. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that at present there are 20 fishing vessels to which the Convention applies and registered under the Syrian flag. The Committee recalls, in this respect, that for several years no information had been provided on implementing legislation as the Government indicated that there was only a very small number of fishing vessels over 25 gross tons and that their activity was limited to coastal waters. In its last two reports, however, the Government made reference to Ministerial Order No. 1618 of 22 October 2003, and to Act No. 57 of 2001 on marine certificates as giving effect to the provisions of this Convention and further indicated that it was planning to establish a training and certification centre attached to the General Directorate of Ports. The Committee once again requests the Government to transmit copies of the abovementioned texts and give full particulars as to how effect is given to the specific certification requirements prescribed by the Convention with respect to minimum age, minimum professional experience and examinations for skippers, mates and engineers of fishing vessels. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on any progress made concerning the announced establishment of a training and certification centre under the General Directorate of Ports.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report, in particular the competency certificates which are granted by the General Directorate for Ports in accordance with Ministerial Order No. 1618 of 22 October 2003 to fishing vessels of less than 40 tons engaged in coastal navigation. The Committee also notes that in its last report concerning the application of the Officers’ Competency Certificates Convention, 1936 (No. 53), the Government made reference to Act No. 57 of 2001 on marine certificates. As neither of these texts are available in the Office, the Committee would appreciate receiving copies.

The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that it is planning to inaugurate a training and certification centre, attached to the General Directorate for Ports, with the task of organizing certification sessions for fishers and seafarers. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide additional information on the activities of the training and certification centre once it has been established.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes that the Government last communicated practical information on the application of the Convention in 1981. According to the indications reported at that time, there were only four fishing vessels of over 25 gross registered tons, but those vessels were exclusively engaged in inshore fishing and thus considered to be excluded from the scope of the Convention by virtue of Article 2. Noting that the situation as regards the application of the Convention must necessarily have evolved over the last 25 years, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide up to date information in its next report including, for instance, statistical data on the fishing vessels to which the Convention applies, the number of persons taking the qualifying examination, the number of competency certificates issued annually and inspection results showing the number and nature of any contraventions reported, etc.