The government today approved the ratification of an ILO convention on the Seafarers Identity Document to ensure a foolproof security system to ward off possible terrorist attacks and bring better job opportunities for Indian sailors in global markets.
Around 1.8 lakh seafarers will benefit from the ratification of this Convention.
"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved the ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No 185 on the Seafarers Identity Document (SID)," an official statement said.
It added: "A biometric-based seafarer's identity document will be developed, mainly, to ensure a foolproof security system to ward off the potential risk of breach of security and possible terrorist attacks."
The ratification of this Convention will benefit Indian sailors, who may have otherwise faced threat to jobs opportunities in the global maritime sector in the near future.
The proposed SID has provisions for bar coding of the biometrics-based identity of sailors and a centralised data base maintained in the issuing country, which can be accessed globally through an inter-operable and standard biometric template.
"An Indian seafarer holding SID will be able to have unrestrictive movement in foreign shores during leave, get recognition as identified seafarer in the global market and will also have an easy access to better job opportunities in the global maritime sector," it said.
The SID project is proposed to be taken up in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC).
The SID is proposed to be issued from the three enrollment centres (offices of the Shipping Master at Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai).
The issuance of the SID involves the collection of biometric and demographic details of seafarers, their verification and then issuance of SID to them.
"The total number of Indian national seafarers required to be issued SIDs will be around 1.8 lakh. SIDs will also be issued to new seafarers, thereafter," the statement said.
The SID project will be self-sustainable and will not entail any expenditure by the government.
