Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Russian Federation

Medical Examination (Fishermen) Convention, 1959 (No. 113) (Ratification: 1969)
Accommodation of Crews (Fishermen) Convention, 1966 (No. 126) (Ratification: 1969)

The Committee notes the Government’s reports on the application of the Conventions related to fishing as well as the observations of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia (FNPR), transmitted with the Government’s report. In order to provide an overview of the issues relating to the application of these Conventions, the Committee considers it helpful to examine them in a single comment as follows.

Medical Examination (Fishermen) Convention, 1959 (No. 113)

Article 5 of the Convention. Additional medical examination by a medical referee. In reply to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication, confirmed by the FNPR, that the procedure for re-examination by an independent medical referee is regulated by Order No. 29 of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation of 28 January 2021, to approve the procedure for carrying out mandatory preliminary and periodic medical examinations of workers, as provided for in paragraph 4 of article 213 of the Labour Code of the Russian Federation, the list of medical contraindications for work with harmful and/or dangerous occupational factors, and the work for which mandatory preliminary and periodic medical examinations shall be carried out, and Order No. 282n of 5 May 2016, to approve the Procedure for carrying out an expert examination of professional suitability and the form of the medical report on the suitability or unsuitability to carry out certain types of work (hereafter Order No. 282n). The Committee notes that paragraph 14 of Order No. 282n provides for the possibility of a further examination conducted in the framework of the medical care provided free of charge to citizens by the State. The Committee takes note of this information.

Accommodation of Crews (Fishermen) Convention, 1966 (No. 126)

Article 3(1) of the Convention. Laws and regulations on crew accommodation. The Committee requested the Government to adopt measures to give effect to Article 3(1), of the Convention. In its reply, the Government refers to the Federal Act No. 52-FZ of 30 March 1999 on the sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population (hereafter, Federal Act No. 52-FZ), and on Sanitary Rules SP 2.5.3650-20 Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for certain types of transport and transport infrastructure facilities, adopted on 1 January 2021 (hereafter, SP 2.5.3650-20). The Government further indicates that Section II of SP 2.5.3650-20 sets out requirements for crew quarters on ships, including fishing vessels, covering aspects such as sanitation, hygiene, accommodation, food organization, medical care, storage, ventilation, lighting, and microclimatic conditions during both design and operation. While noting this information, the Committee recalls that Article 3(1) of the Convention requires each Member to maintain in force legislation that ensures the application of the provisions of Parts II (Planning and control of crew accommodation), III (Crew accommodation requirements) and IV (Application to existing ships). While noting that section II and paragraph 2.1.75 of SP 2.5.3650-20 establish sanitary and epidemiological requirements for accommodation on fishing vessels, these provisions aim at protecting health and hygiene standards and do not give effect to the obligations contained in Article 3(1) of the Convention. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to take the necessary measures without delay to ensure full compliance with these requirements of the Convention.

The Committee is raising other matters regarding Convention No. 126 in a request addressed directly to the Government.