UK P&I CLUB BULLITEN: BRAZIL CONTINUOUS TO IMPLEMENTS IT IMMIGRATION REGULATION FOR SEAFARERS OF NON ILO C108 SIGNATORY COUNTRIES

The imposition of fines at the ports of Brazil, Suape and Recife, for seafarers non-complying on ILO 108/185 was been suspended.

But the recent publication by UK P&I Club, Bulletin 731 dated 10 December 2010 and Bulletin 736 dated 15 April 2011, negates this.

UK P&I Club LP Bulletin 731: Crew Documentation ILO C108 and ILO C185 -Brazil

UK P&I Club LP Bulletin 756: Crew ILO Documentation Updated 2 -Brazil

The above publication clearly emphasized that ILO C108 is still in force at Brazil. Thus, seafarers in possession of seaman's book or passport issued by countries. That are not a party to ILO's Convention No. 108/1958, like the Philippines, are not allowed to disembark or go on shore at Brazilian ports.

With this, according to information from FAME and PJMCC, "the Joint Manning Group (JMG) sent a letter to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to seek assistance for an interim measure to counter the Brazilian authorities recent impositions, affecting ships trading in Brazil with Filipino seafarers, Until such time that a more and permanent resolution to this problem is made which is the ratification by the Philippine government of ILO C-108/C-185"

Filipino seafarers should be properly informed, warned, must understand and be wary of this regulation when their ship call's in Brazil to avoid penalty.