The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 185, also known as the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, was duly approved and ratified by President Benigno Aquino III on October 11 2011. The ratification was duly approved by the Philippine Senate and is now being transmitted to the ILO's headquarters in Geneva for submission.
The convention provides that any seafarer who holds a valid seafarer's identity document shall be admitted to enter the territory where the convention is in force when entry is requested for:
- temporary shore leave;
- joining his or her ship or transferring to another ship;
- passing in transit to join his or her ship in another country;
- repatriation; or
- any other purpose approved by the authorities of the member state concerned.
According to the Joint Manning Group, the shipping industry has welcomed this new development, as the convention facilitates the activities of Filipino seafarers. In particular, it makes it easier for them to take shore leave without the required visa and without any unnecessary inspection and interrogation as to their identity.
For further information on this topic please contact Ruben T Del Rosario at Del Rosario & Del Rosario law Offices by telephone (+63 2 810 1791), fax (+63 2 817 1740) or email ([email protected]).