Solicitud directa (CEACR) - Adopción: 2024, Publicación: 113ª reunión CIT (2025)

Convenio sobre los documentos de identidad de la gente de mar, 1958 (núm. 108) - Panamá (Ratificación : 1970)

Articles 5 and 6 of the Convention. Permit for entry and readmission to the territory. In its previous comments, recalling that the visa requirement for seafarers is inconsistent with the principles of free admission to a territory (for purposes of shore leave) and right of return, the Committee requested the Government to adopt the necessary measures in order to ensure that foreign seafarers holding a valid seafarer’s identity document may enjoy these rights in conformity with the Convention. The Committee notes that, in reply to its comments, the Government refers to a tripartite workshop on the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185), held in July 2018 by the Ministry of Labour and Labour Development (MITRADEL) and the Panama Maritime Authority, with the participation of, inter alia, the National Migration Service, the Passport Authority, and social bodies associated with shipowners’ and seafarers’ organizations, and with ILO technical assistance. The Government indicates that this activity, among other things, raised awareness of the aspects of Panamanian legislation that run counter to the provisions set out in Convention No. 108. The Government also indicates that, while no studies were conducted following the workshop, it intends to continue revising its legislation through a consultation process with the institutions involved with a view to taking the necessary measures to bring its legislation into conformity with the Convention. The Government adds that it is continuing its consideration of the ratification of Convention No. 185. While noting this information, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures, without delay, to bring its legislation into full conformity with the Convention.