Observación (CEACR) - Adopción: 1995, Publicación: 82ª reunión CIT (1995)

Convenio sobre los certificados de capacidad de los oficiales, 1936 (núm. 53) - Argentina (Ratificación : 1955)

The Committee notes the communications from the Union of United Maritime Workers (SOMU), dated 29 March 1993, 2 December 1994 and 5 January 1995. Although these communications were duly sent to the Government, as yet no reply has been received.

The SOMU alleges that the new regulations on the training of ship's personnel in the merchant marine (REFOCAPEMM), issued by Decree No. 572/94 allows foreign seafarers with less training than their Argentine counterparts to work on ships registered in Argentina. Furthermore, embarkation documents are granted to minors and foreigners with very dubious qualifications, who do not speak Spanish, which heightens the risk of accident. In this connection the above-mentioned Union refers to the situation in the fishing sector and states that ships flying the Argentine flag employ Chilean labour which is less skilled than Argentine labour and refers to the case of the ship "Revolución productiva" whose crew is made up almost entirely of Russian nationals, and it is not known how their suitability was ascertained. Furthermore, there are cases of embarkation documents being granted by enterprises. Lastly, the SOMU alleges that certain sections of Decree No. 817/92 which provides for the drafting of the new REFOCAPEMM are unconstitutional.

The Committee would be grateful if the Government would make all comments it deems appropriate on the above allegations, in the light of Article 3 (certificate of competency to perform the duties of master, navigational officer in charge of a watch, chief engineer or engineer officer in charge of a watch), and Article 4 (requirements for granting a certificate of competency) of the Convention.

[The Government is asked to supply full particulars at the 82nd Session of the Conference and to report in detail in 1996.]