Panama and Norway have now ratified the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006).
Adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2006, the Maritime Labour Convention, deals with the working and living environment of seafarers on seagoing ships. The new convention provides a comprehensive framework with mandatory requirements as well as voluntary guidelines. It covers inspection on issues such as age, qualification, hours of work and rest, the existence of seafarers' employment agreements, evidence of payment of wages, manning levels and availability of accommodations and recreational facilities for seafarers, medical care as well as food and catering.
The decision by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to move forward to create a major new Maritime Labour Convention was the result of a joint resolution in 2001 by the international seafarers' and shipowners' organizations, later supported by governments.
The convention comes into force when both a minimum of 33 percent of the world's gross tonnage, as well as 30 states have ratified MLC.
Liberia, Marshall Islands and Bahamas had already ratified the convention. Panama and Norway were the fourth and fifth flag states to ratify the convention. Together, the five flags represent 43 percent of the world's shipping tonnage. The implementation of the convention is expected for 2011.
By then some 50,000 ships must be certified and through that, ensure their compliance with the international requirements for the working and living conditions of seafarers on board. The certification of the MLC, 2006 applies to all vessels of 500GT or above in international voyages.
To help shipowners identify necessary improvements Hamburg-based classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL) offers a self-assessment tool. In addition, with a gap analysis on board, GL can determine what needs to be improved before the ship fulfils the requirements of MLC, 2006. The GL Academy provides seminars and workshops on MLC, 2006.
Certification is only possible once the convention is in force. To document compliance with the requirements well in advance, GL offers clarification of flag state requirements, review of the Declaration of Labour Compliance and initial inspections on board as well as the issuance of the MLC Statement of Compliance.
The ILO claims the implementation of global standards will reduce substandard shipping and help to abolish unacceptable working and living conditions seafarers are often exposed to.
