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

Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No. 108) - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Ratification: 1998)

The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in its report, that it has issued 30,592 Seaman’s books since the entry into force of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006), in 2011. The Committee further notes the Government’s statement that it has not yet examined the possibility to ratify the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185).

Articles 2 and 4 of the Convention. Form and content of seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee requested the Government to provide a specimen of the Seafarers’ Identity Document (SID) currently in use and to transmit a copy of any relevant regulations determining the form and content of the SID. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that Title 2, paragraph 5(c), of the Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) Regulation, 2017, provides the legislative basis for the issuance of the Seaman’s Book. It further notes the copy of the Seaman’s Book provided by the Government. It observes that the first page of the Book contains a statement indicating that “Seaman’s book are issued in accordance with the Shipping Act 2004 and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) as amended from time to time and may be used as discharge record books”. The Committee recalls that pursuant to Article 4(2) of the Convention, the SID shall contain, among others, a statement that the document is a seafarer’s identity document for the purpose of Convention No. 108. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to insert the required statement in the SID in order to ensure full conformity with the requirements of Article 4(2).

Articles 5 and 6. Readmission and permission to enter into territory. The Committee requested the Government to specify the legislative or regulatory provisions that give effect to the seafarers’ right to return (Article 5) and to the principle of free admission for purposes of temporary shore leave, transit or transfer (Article 6). The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in relation to Article 5, that Seaman’s books are not only issued to nationals but also to non nationals. The Government states that while there are no specific national legislative provisions that would give effect to the seafarers’ right of return, in practice, all national seafarers do exercise that right without obstruction. Noting the absence of information regarding Article 6, the Committee requests the Government once again to indicate the measures adopted to give effect to this provision of the Convention.