The development of a universal identification document for an estimated 1.2 million merchant mariners worldwide took a major step forward last month when delegates to the International Labor Organization’s (ILO’s) 91st annual convention approved the key components of such credentials.By a vote of 392-0 (with 20 abstentions), delegates to the ILO forum in Geneva adopted a new agreement for mariner IDs. The new ILO Convention on Seafarers’ Identity Documents replaces ILO Convention No. 108, adopted in 1958.
SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel participated in the convention, which ended on June 19. He also serves as vice chair of the Seafarers’ Section of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
“With the security concerns around the world that came into focus after September 11, it’s simply a fact that the new universal IDs for mariners are coming,” Heindel said. “Overall, I believe the basic guidelines adopted at the International Labor Organization Conference are reasonable. The SIU will continue working with the ILO, the ITF, MARAD, the U.S. Coast Guard and other involved parties in assuring adoption of the new convention and to ensure mariners’ rights are protected and its implementation is fair and sensible.”
The ITF reacted similarly. Jon Whitlow, secretary of the federation’s Seafarers’ Section and secretary of the Workers’ Group at the ILO during the conference, stated, “A sensitive and fundamental balance has been achieved today. Both human rights and nations’ need for security have been respected.”
He added, “This decision demonstrates the ILO’s continuing relevance as the forum where these issues must be decided. The urgent requirement now is for speedy ratification (by the ILO’s 176 member states, including the U.S.).”
According to the ILO, the pact on mariner identification “establishes a more rigorous identity regime for seafarers with the aim of developing effective security from terrorism and ensuring that the world’s 1.2 million seafarers will be given the freedom of movement necessary for their well-being and for their professional activities and, in general, to facilitate international commerce. The Convention sets out the basic parameters and allows the details in its annexes, like the precise form of the identity document, to be easily adapted subsequently to keep up with technological developments.”
A key feature of the new ID will be a “biometric template” based on a fingerprint. A resolution accompanying the pact requests the ILO director-general to take urgent measures for the development of “a global interoperable standard for the biometric, particularly in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).” It also makes provision for the facilitation of shore leave and transit and transfer of seafarers, including the exemption from holding a visa for seafarers taking shore leave.
The ILO further noted, “To avoid the risk of an ID being issued to the wrong person, the Convention also requires ratifying member states to maintain a proper database available for international consultation by authorized officials and to have and observe adequate procedures for the issuance of IDs. Those procedures, which cover not only the security aspects but also the necessary safeguards for individual rights, including data protection, will be subject to transparent procedures for international oversight.”
The text of the full convention can be viewed HERE
Look under provisional record 20 for the Committee report and under 20A for the text of the final agreement.
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