BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Barbados authorities says it has formally deposited the instrument of ratification of the revised Worldwide Labour Group (ILO) Seafarers Identification Doc (SID) Conference.
The doc was signed by Matthew Wilson, Ambassador and Everlasting Consultant to the United Nations, World Commerce Group (WTO), and different worldwide organizations in Geneva, and Gilbert Houngbo, Director Normal of the ILO, on Monday on the ILO Headquarters in Geneva.
The SID Conference is a world treaty that goals to enhance the safety, id verification, and mobility of seafarers whereas guaranteeing their rights and facilitating their shore go away and transit.
“As a small island growing state with a big ocean footprint, Barbados is happy to ratify the Worldwide Labour Group Seafarers’ Identification Doc Conference (Revised), 2003 – as Amended (No. 185),” mentioned Ambassador Wilson.
He informed the signing ceremony that tourism and worldwide commerce are the mainstays of Barbados’ economic system, and fisheries are a vital a part of its meals safety. He added, “Because of this we deal with the sustainable use of our ocean sources and defending all stakeholders.
“This was by no means extra pronounced than in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic when our nation carried out a number of measures to help seafarers, together with the extension of seafarers’ certificates and paperwork, the issuance of medical certificates, and suppleness in manning necessities. Barbados’ ratification of this Conference is a sworn statement to our dedication to seafarers’ welfare and the continuity of maritime operations.”
Houngbo thanked Barbados for its ongoing dedication to multilateralism and the work of the ILO.
The ILO Conference presents a number of key advantages for seafarers, shipowners, and governments within the areas of safety, facilitation of motion, and business effectivity.
ILO Conference No. 185’s key points embrace introducing a biometric-based SID with enhanced security measures to forestall fraud and unauthorized entry. This may even facilitate seafarers’ transit and shore go away by guaranteeing they’ve a safe, verifiable id doc.
This additionally strengthens maritime safety by minimizing the danger of id fraud. It additionally ensures seafarers with legitimate SID can entry shore go away in international ports with out pointless visa necessities. It goals to stability safety issues with seafarers’ rights to free motion and helps the worldwide delivery business by guaranteeing environment friendly crew modifications and operations.
Barbados confirmed its dedication to seafarers’ rights in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic by helping them by facilitating crew modifications, offering humanitarian help, and guaranteeing stranded seafarers may safely return house.
By its coverage on Crew Repatriation and Secure Harbor for Seafarers, Barbados was one of many first nations to permit crew modifications, whereas many nations imposed strict lockdowns and port restrictions. The federal government mentioned hundreds of seafarers stranded on cruise ships and cargo vessels had been capable of disembark in Bridgetown and return house safely.
