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Indonesia to ratify key seafarers’ convention
11 January 2008
The Indonesian government has decided to ratify a key International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention, which is set to benefit more than 35,000 Indonesian seafarers.
Ratification of ILO Convention 185 on Seafarers’ Identity Documents will mean that Indonesian seafarers working both on Indonesian-flagged vessels and those flying other flags, will be issued with biometric identity documents. ILO member countries are required to recognise the document and to allow those carrying them the right to shore leave and other transit privileges at destination seaports.
Welcoming the move, Hanafi Rustandi, President of the ITF-affiliated Indonesian seafarers’ union, Kesatuan Pelaut Indonesia, stated that the Indonesian government had acted quickly on a decision to ratify the convention following the introduction of stringent security measures in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on 11 September 2001. This had led to Indonesian seafarers being denied entry into Britain and the US.
“Certain countries, particularly the US and Britain, will soon have no reason to prevent our seafarers from stopping over or entering their territories,” commented Rustandi.
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