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A new and more rigorous United Nations-sponsored biometric identity
verification system aimed at pre-empting terrorism on the high seas and
ports that could potentially affect 1.2 million maritime workers handling 90
per cent of global trade entered into force two weeks ago.
Although only three countries – France, Jordan and Nigeria – have so far
ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO) Seafarers’ Identity
Documents Convention 2003 (No. 185), only two need do so for it two enter
into force, and it became operative yesterday, six months after its second
endorsement.
But more than 50 countries have submitted the Convention, replacing
Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention 1958 (No.108), for consideration by
their national parliaments.
Malaysian Marine Department says the new rule would be complied with
although Malaysia has not ratified the Convention.
Many, including India, the Philippines and Indonesia, which have large
numbers of seafarers, are making plans for implementation while considering
the ratification.
All ratifying states will be required to issue new documents conforming to
the standards for converting two fingerprints into a biometric template to
be stored in an internationally standardized 2-D barcode printed on the
Seafarers’ Identity Document (SID).
One basic requisite is global interoperability, meaning that the fingerprint
information issued in one country can be read correctly by equipment used in
another.
The Convention puts in place a comprehensive security system that enables
the first global implementation of biometric identification technology on a
mandatory basis, thus enabling positive identification of the seafarer that
holds the document.
The Convention seeks to balance the imperatives of security with the rights
and freedoms of maritime workers and facilitate mobility in the exercise of
their profession, for example when they board their ships to work, take
shore leave or return home.
Employers’ groups, workers’ groups and governments represented on ILO’s
Governing Body supported the approval of a new standard as a matter of
urgency to meet new security measures already being imposed on seafarers
worldwide.
Until now there have been no mandatory specifications for international
identity documents. |
