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

Panamá

Convenio sobre el examen médico de los pescadores, 1959 (núm. 113) (Ratificación : 1970)
Convenio sobre los certificados de competencia de pescadores, 1966 (núm. 125) (Ratificación : 1970)
Convenio sobre el alojamiento de la tripulación (pescadores), 1966 (núm. 126) (Ratificación : 1971)

The Committee notes the Government’s reports on the Conventions relating to fishing. It also notes the observations of the National Confederation of United Independent Unions (CONUSI) in relation to Convention No. 113, received on 30 August. In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of these Conventions, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine them in a single comment, as follows.

Medical Examination (Fishermen) Convention, 1959 (No. 113)

The Committee notes that CONUSI indicates that, like seafarers’ pensions, the issue of medical examinations for fishers was addressed in a tripartite dialogue, and that this issue was included in a consensus document that was blocked by the Panama Maritime Authority when it was presented to the Cabinet Council. This has resulted in a lack of adequate regulation protecting the rights of this group of workers. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this regard.

Fishermen ’ s Competency Certificates Convention, 1966 (No. 125)

Articles 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 of the Convention. Minimum age, minimum professional experience, examinations. The Committee noted that Resolution No. 008-2001 of 12 February 2001 of the Panama Maritime Authority on the rules for the issuance of certificates of competency for seafarers, which was not in compliance with several requirements of the Convention, was being amended. The Committee notes with interest that, in response to its comments, the Government provides a copy of J.D. Resolution No. 053-2018 of 19 December 2018, which approves the minimum requirements for the issuance of certificates of competency for seafarers working on board ships under the Panamanian flag, including fishing vessels. Section three of this Resolution authorizes the General Directorate of Seafarers (DGMM) of the Panama Maritime Authority to determine the applicable technical and administrative requirements in relation to licence fees for seafarers. The Government also provides a copy of Circular No. DGGM-041, which determines the requirements for the issuance of technical documentation for seafarers to work on board ships under the Panamanian flag, including fishing vessels. The Committee takes note of this information.

Accommodation of Crews (Fishermen) Convention, 1966 (No. 126)

Article 3(2)(c) of the Convention. Laws or regulations which ensure application. System of inspection. The Committee notes that, in response to its comments, the Government provides a copy of the inspection form for international fishing vessels, which includes a section on accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering. The Government also provides a copy of J.D. Resolution No. 045-2021 of 29 June 2021, which approves the regulations for the issuance of the certificate of inspection of crew accommodation (CICA), exemption, dispensation and authorizations for ships registered in Panama, including the fishing vessels covered by this Convention, and repeals J.D. Resolution No. 011-2005 of 26 July 2005. The Committee takes note of this information.

Article 10(8). Exceptions to the requirement of a number of persons allowed to occupy sleeping rooms. The Committee notes that, in response to its comments, the Government indicates that four exemptions to Article 10(6) were issued between 2019 and 2024. The exemptions have a duration of four years, which corresponds to the validity of the CICA. The Government also reports that to date no dispensations have been granted to fishing vessels during the reporting period. The Committee takes note of this information.