Maritime Labor

Convention
2006
Mariel David

Fast Facts
Came

into force 30 August 2013

International Labour Organization (ILO) conv
ention
Needed 30 countries to be ratified
Philippines 30th country to ratify
As of 20 August 2013 50 countries have rati
fied

MLC as a social legislation

Considered

as the Magna Carta of seafarers

Given the global nature of the shipping indus
try, seafarers need special protection.
Four pillars of international maritime law:

SOLAS safety, security

STCW qualification standards
MARPOL environmental protection
MLC seafarers rights

Who is covered under the MLC?

Any

person who is employed, engaged, or wo

rking in any capacity on board a ship to whic
h the Convention applies. This includes riding
gangs and hotel staff on cruise ships.

Fundamental workers rights and t

he MLC
MLC

requires governments to make sure that their la

ws and regulations respect certain fundamental right
s relating to work.
Right to freedom of association
Effective recognition of the right to Collective Bargai
ning
Elimination of all forms of compulsory labor
Effective abolition of child labor
Elimination of discrimination in respect of employm
ent and occupation.

Objectives of the MLC

Set minimum standards to address health, saf

ety, and welfare of seafarers through:

Conditions of employment
Accommodations
Recreational facilities
Food and catering
Health protection
Medical care
Welfare and social protection issues

These standards will address:

Causes

of fatigue
Occupational health and safety
Recruitment
Working and living conditions
Crew retention and motivation

Title 1: Minimum requirements for

seafarers to work on a ship
Minimum

To ensure that no under-age persons work on a ship

16 and above
Below 18 cannot carry out night work

Medical

Fitness

Must confirm that seafarer is not suffering any condition that would be made worse
at sea, make you unable to perform your job, make you a danger to others

Training

Age

and qualifications

Necessary training to carry out duties on board ship as well as personal safety on bo
ard

Recruitment

and placement

Costs chargeable to seafarer: national med cert, seamans book, passport/travel doc
uments (visashipowner)
Blacklisting is prohibited
Onboard complaint procedure

Title 2: Conditions of Employment

Seafarers employment agreements (SEA)
Wages
Hours of work and hours of rest

Max hours of work: 14 hours in any 24 day period; 72 hours in

any seven day period

Entitlement to leave
Repatriation

12 months

Seafarer compensation in the event of a ships loss

Manning levels
Career and skill development opportunities

Title 3: Accommodation, recreation

al facilities, food and catering
Accommodation

and recreational facilities

Food and catering

Title 4: Health protection, Medical Care,

Welfare and Social Security Protection
Medical

care on board ship and shore

Shipowners liability
Health and safety protection and accident pr
evention
Access to shore-based facilities
Social security

Title 5: Compliance and enforceme

nt
Flag

Ensure that each member implements its resp

onsibilities

Port

State responsibilities
State responsibilities

Conduct inspections to ensure safety of life at s

ea, prevention of pollution, living and working
conditions on board ships

Labour

supplying responsibilities

On Board
Complaint
Procedure

Implications
Empowers

seafarers
Shifts burden of proof to shipowners

Sickness is presumed to be work-related