The Committee notes that in its reports on the application of various maritime Conventions, the Government indicates that the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), is under study in the Tripartite International Standards Group. In order to give an overall view of the issues needing attention in connection with the application of maritime Conventions, the Committee considers that they are best addressed in a single set of comments, which is set out below.

Repatriation of Seamen Convention, 1926 (No. 23)

Article 4 of the Convention. Entitlement to repatriation free of charge. The Committee requested information from the Government on the repatriation of seafarers in the event of shipwreck. It notes that the Government refers to section 12 of Act No. 16.387 of 27 June 1993 and section 13 of Decree No. 426/994 of 20 September 1994, on merchant ships and the right to fly the national flag. The Committee observes, however, that although these provisions require merchant ships flying the national flag to transport shipwrecked seafarers free of charge, the legislation does not guarantee the right of seafarers to repatriation in the event of shipwreck. The Committee accordingly asks the Government once again to indicate the measures taken to give effect to Article 4 of the Convention.

Medical Examination (Seafarers) Convention, 1946 (No. 73)

Articles 3–5 of the Convention. Compulsory medical certificate. The Committee previously noted the absence of any regulatory provisions on special health cards for seafarers that give effect to the provisions of the Convention, and requested the Government to send information on progress made in this regard. The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption of Maritime Provision No. 162/016 of 15 April 2016 on the maritime health certificate, which responds to its earlier requests regarding seafarers’ medical certificates.

Accommodation of Crews (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1970 (No. 133)

Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention. Legislation to ensure the application of the Convention. The Committee drew the Government’s attention to the absence of any laws ensuring the application of technical standards on the accommodation of crews laid down in Parts II and III of the Accommodation of Crews Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 92), and in Part I of this Convention. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of Circular DIRME No. 014/16 of 29 September 2016, under which ships and floating structures must comply with ILO technical standards which are subject to inspection by the Technical Committee of the Registry and Merchant Marine Directorate (DIRME–COTEC).