Maritime Labour Convention at 20: ILO and IMO reaffirm commitment to decent work at sea
Maritime Labour Convention milestone marked with renewed call for fair and sustainable global shipping, protecting seafarer rights.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are marking the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), a landmark treaty that has reshaped working and living conditions for seafarers worldwide and strengthened fair competition in global shipping.
Adopted on 23 February 2006 by the International Maritime Labour Conference through an unprecedented tripartite consensus, the MLC, 2006 stands as a powerful example of social dialogue and multilateral cooperation in action. Governments, shipowners and seafarers came together to establish a comprehensive global framework to regulate working and living conditions in one of the world’s most international industries.
Over the past two decades, the Convention has delivered concrete improvements for millions of seafarers. By setting clear and enforceable minimum standards covering conditions of employment, wages, hours of work and rest, accommodation, health protection, medical care, welfare and social security, and by underpinning them with strong compliance and enforcement mechanisms, the MLC, 2006 has effectively contributed to the realization of decent work at sea.
At the same time, the Convention has helped level the playing field for responsible shipowners by reducing unfair competition based on substandard labour conditions. In doing so, it has strengthened the safety, efficiency and resilience of maritime transport, a critical pillar of the global economy.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored seafarers’ indispensable role as key workers, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of essential goods around the world. The crisis also highlighted the importance of fully implementing and enforcing the protections enshrined in the MLC, 2006.
Despite undeniable progress, significant challenges remain. Seafarers and the shipping industry continue to face unlawful attacks on ships, abandonment and criminalization of seafarers, fatigue, unpaid wages and denial of shore leave. Yet, the MLC, 2006 is designed as a living instrument, capable of adapting to new and persistent challenges through tripartite dialogue.
The Special Tripartite Committee of the MLC, 2006 – the body responsible for keeping the Convention under review – has demonstrated its capacity to adopt necessary amendments, ensuring that the Convention remains responsive to emerging realities and to the need for continuous improvements of seafarers’ rights.
The ILO reaffirms its commitment to the effective implementation of the MLC, 2006 worldwide, with the full support of the IMO, in accordance with its mandate. IMO and ILO call on all States and industry stakeholders to uphold its standards, strengthen compliance and work in partnership to guarantee seafarers’ rights and promote a fair, inclusive and sustainable future for global shipping.
Watch IMO Secretary-General video statement
IMO has worked in conjunction with ILO to develop and deliver key guidelines to support seafarer rights, including those on dealing with seafarer abandonment cases and on fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident and following detentions in connection with alleged crimes. IMO’s Legal Committee has a standing agenda item on “Fair treatment of seafarers”.
The Joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group (JTWG) to Identify and Address Seafarers’ Issues and the Human Element (JTWG) was established in 2022. Items on the group’s agenda have included tackling bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment.
- Read more on IMO/ILO joint work on seafarer issues.
- Read more about MLC 2006: Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
Watch ILO Director-General video statement
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IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez video statement transcript:
“23 February marks 20 years since the adoption of the Maritime Labour Convention or MLC 2006 – a global instrument which sets seafarers’ employment rights and decent working conditions.
Behind every vessel that crosses the oceans are individuals who spend long months away from their families, working in demanding and often challenging conditions to keep world trade moving. The MLC recognizes not only their employment rights, but also their dignity as people.
Together with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Convention forms a protective framework that safeguards seafarers’ lives, skills and working conditions. This framework reflects a simple but powerful principle: those who serve at sea must be protected at sea.
IMO and ILO will continue working to ensure that that these protections remain strong and responsive to new challenges.
As we mark this anniversary, I invite everyone to join us in commemorating the MLC 20 year milestone. Above all, I would like to speak directly to seafarers around the world: we see your contribution. We recognize your sacrifices. And we remain committed to your safety, your wellbeing and your rights — today and in the years ahead.”
Source : IMO
