Seafarers
Kiribati ratifies ILO’s Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention
Kiribati becomes the third member States from the Pacific region, after Marshall Islands and Vanuatu, to ratify the Convention.
6 June 2014
Today, the Government of the Republic of Kiribati deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185). Kiribati’s ratification brings the total number of countries that have either ratified or declared applicable this Convention up to 28. Kiribati becomes the third member States from the Pacific region, after Marshall Islands and Vanuatu, to ratify the Convention.
In depositing the instrument of ratification of Convention No. 185, Minister of Labour and Human Resource Development, Mr Martin Moreti, stated that: “It does not only mark a significant milestone in the history of Kiribati Maritime, but it also confirms the Government of Kiribati’s strong commitment to the Convention. It hence highlighted positive response to the urgent need for I-Kiribati seafarers to have the required Identity Documents that will facilitate efficient movements when working on overseas merchant ship. Since 1967, the Kiribati Maritime Training Centre has been a key player in providing offshore employment to I-Kiribati seafarers. Kiribati commends the ILO for the excellent work in crafting important conventions that are essential for seafarers and will ensure that the implementation of the required tasks specified in the Convention will be carried out immediately.”
In receiving the instrument of ratification, Mr Guy Ryder, Secretary-General of the International Labour Conference said: “Kiribati has already ratified the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) in 2011 and it is the 16th country to have ratified both instruments. This means that in addition to the decent working and living conditions for seafarers guaranteed under the MLC, 2006, Kiribati is to provide its seafarers with additional protection through an advanced security system which Convention No. 185 puts in place. I understand that the Kiribati Marine Training Center is currently being strengthened with the introduction of new programmes, equipment and a new building. There will be therefore more qualified seafarers from Kiribati working on board ships. The seafarers’ identity document under Convention No. 185 will facilitate their transit, transfer, with a passport, to join ships and enable them to enjoy shore leave, without a visa.”
Convention No. 185 revises the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No. 108). It provides for the issuance of a secure international identity document for seafarers that can be used at ports and border crossing to identify the bearer as a genuine seafarer.
In depositing the instrument of ratification of Convention No. 185, Minister of Labour and Human Resource Development, Mr Martin Moreti, stated that: “It does not only mark a significant milestone in the history of Kiribati Maritime, but it also confirms the Government of Kiribati’s strong commitment to the Convention. It hence highlighted positive response to the urgent need for I-Kiribati seafarers to have the required Identity Documents that will facilitate efficient movements when working on overseas merchant ship. Since 1967, the Kiribati Maritime Training Centre has been a key player in providing offshore employment to I-Kiribati seafarers. Kiribati commends the ILO for the excellent work in crafting important conventions that are essential for seafarers and will ensure that the implementation of the required tasks specified in the Convention will be carried out immediately.”
In receiving the instrument of ratification, Mr Guy Ryder, Secretary-General of the International Labour Conference said: “Kiribati has already ratified the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) in 2011 and it is the 16th country to have ratified both instruments. This means that in addition to the decent working and living conditions for seafarers guaranteed under the MLC, 2006, Kiribati is to provide its seafarers with additional protection through an advanced security system which Convention No. 185 puts in place. I understand that the Kiribati Marine Training Center is currently being strengthened with the introduction of new programmes, equipment and a new building. There will be therefore more qualified seafarers from Kiribati working on board ships. The seafarers’ identity document under Convention No. 185 will facilitate their transit, transfer, with a passport, to join ships and enable them to enjoy shore leave, without a visa.”
Convention No. 185 revises the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention, 1958 (No. 108). It provides for the issuance of a secure international identity document for seafarers that can be used at ports and border crossing to identify the bearer as a genuine seafarer.