Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185) - Kiribati (Ratification: 2014)

The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention. It also notes that the 2016 amendments to the Annexes of the Convention entered into force for Kiribati on 8 June 2017. The Committee recalls that these amendments aim at aligning the technical requirements of the Convention with the latest standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) with respect to the technology for seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs) provided for in the Convention. In particular, they intend to change the biometric template in SIDs from a fingerprint template in a two-dimensional barcode to a facial image stored in a contactless chip as required by ICAO Document 9303. The Committee notes that, according to the information submitted by the Government, no concrete measures have been taken so far to implement the provisions of the Convention, in particular to issue new SIDs in accordance with the technical requirements of the Convention, as amended in 2016. The Committee recalls in this regard the Resolution adopted by the third meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee of the Maritime Labour Convention, as amended (MLC, 2006), whereby it expressed concern about the difficulties seafarers continue to have in accessing shore leave and transiting in certain ports and terminals around the world and recognized that although an increased number of member States have ratified Convention No. 185, there still appear to be problems in ensuring that the Convention works in the way that it was originally intended. The Committee notes that these problems have dramatically increased as a result of the restrictions imposed by governments around the world to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee hopes that the Government in the near future, will adopt the necessary measures to give full effect to all the provisions of the Convention, as amended. It requests the Government to provide detailed information on such measures, including a copy of the applicable national provisions. The Committee further requests the Government to supply a specimen of a SID compliant with the Convention as soon as it becomes available. The Committee reminds the Government of the possibility to avail itself of the Office technical assistance.

Articles 2 to 7 of the Convention. Seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs). Implementation. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that while there are no laws or regulations for issuance of SIDs, the Maritime Act 2017 requires seafarers to obtain a discharge book. This is an eye readable document (normal paper document with personal data) issued by the Marine Division, Ministry of Information and Communication, Transport and Tourism Development. While noting the information provided in relation to discharge books, the Committee requests the Government to adopt the necessary measures to issue SIDs in conformity with the requirements of the Convention.