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

Guinea-Bissau

Food and Catering (Ships' Crews) Convention, 1946 (No. 68) (Ratification: 1977)
Certification of Ships' Cooks Convention, 1946 (No. 69) (Ratification: 1977)
Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No. 108) (Ratification: 1977)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s reports on several maritime Conventions. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), has been approved by the Popular National Assembly in 2016 and that it is committed to preparing the declaration foreseen in Regulation 4.5, paragraph 2, to include the coverage of medical care, sickness benefit, old-age benefit and occupational disease benefit. The Committee notes these efforts and requests the Government to provide updated information on progress achieved in this regard. In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues to be addressed in relation to the application of these Conventions, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine them in a single comment, as follows.

The Food and Catering (Ships’ Crews) Convention, 1946 (No. 68). Article 1(3) of the Convention. Scope of application. The Committee requested the Government to provide updated information on the number of vessels falling within the scope of application of the Convention and on any legislative development giving effect to the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that only three vessels are flying its flag and that they are obsolete. It further notes that the Government refers to the existence of a draft collective agreement for seafarers covering some of the requirements of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the developments concerning any legislative measure or collective bargaining agreement giving effect to the Convention.

The Certification of Ships’ Cooks Convention, 1946 (No. 69). Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention. Ship’s cook certificate of qualification. Examinations for the granting of certificates of qualification. Recalling that only the competent authority – not the captain – is allowed to grant exemptions from the obligation of the ship’s cook to hold a certificate of qualification and that it is for the national authority to make arrangements for the holding of examinations and for the granting of certificates of qualification, the Committee requested the Government to indicate the measures taken to give effect to Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention. The Committee takes note of the Government’s indication that there is no naval school in the country, but that it is considering the possibility of accrediting certain existing schools for cooks, which would provide the necessary training and qualification for ships’ cooks. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any progress achieved in this regard as well as on any other measures taken to give effect to Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention.

The Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No. 108). Article 4(2) of the Convention. Seafarer’s identity document. Particulars to be included. The Committee requested the Government to modify the current cédula de inscricão marítima (seafarer’s identity document) in order to include a statement that the document is a seafarer’s identity document for the purpose of this Convention. It notes the Government’s indication that measures will be taken to ensure that the cédula de inscricão marítima complies with the requirements of the Convention. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide a specimen of the modified cédula de inscricão marítima once adopted.