{"id":20173,"date":"2026-02-25T15:54:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:54:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/?p=20173"},"modified":"2026-02-25T15:54:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:54:37","slug":"maritime-labour-convention-at-20-ilo-and-imo-reaffirm-commitment-to-decent-work-at-sea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/maritime-labour-convention-at-20-ilo-and-imo-reaffirm-commitment-to-decent-work-at-sea\/","title":{"rendered":"Maritime Labour Convention at 20: ILO and IMO reaffirm commitment to decent work at sea"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Maritime Labour Convention milestone marked with renewed call for fair and sustainable global shipping, protecting seafarer rights.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The International Labour Organization (ILO)\u00a0and\u00a0the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are marking the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006<\/a>),\u00a0a landmark treaty that has reshaped working and living conditions for seafarers worldwide and strengthened fair competition in global shipping.<\/p>\n

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,\u00a0shipowners\u00a0and seafarers came together to\u00a0establish\u00a0a comprehensive global framework to regulate working and living conditions in one of the world\u2019s most international industries.<\/p>\n

Over the past two decades, the Convention has delivered concrete improvements for millions of seafarers. By setting clear and enforceable\u00a0minimum\u00a0standards covering conditions of employment, wages, hours of work and rest, accommodation, health protection, medical care,\u00a0welfare\u00a0and social security,\u00a0and by underpinning them with strong compliance and enforcement mechanisms,\u00a0the MLC, 2006 has\u00a0effectively\u00a0contributed\u00a0to\u00a0the realization of decent work at sea.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0strengthened\u00a0the\u00a0safety,\u00a0efficiency\u00a0and resilience of\u00a0maritime transport,\u00a0a critical pillar of the global economy.<\/p>\n

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored seafarers\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

Despite undeniable progress, significant challenges\u00a0remain. Seafarers and the shipping industry continue to face unlawful attacks on ships, abandonment and criminalization of seafarers, fatigue, unpaid\u00a0wages\u00a0and denial of shore leave. Yet,\u00a0the MLC, 2006 is designed as a living instrument, capable of adapting to new and persistent challenges through tripartite dialogue.<\/p>\n

The Special Tripartite Committee of the MLC, 2006\u00a0–\u00a0the body responsible for keeping the Convention under review\u00a0–\u00a0has\u00a0demonstrated\u00a0its capacity to adopt necessary amendments, ensuring that the Convention\u00a0remains\u00a0responsive to emerging realities\u00a0and\u00a0to\u00a0the need for\u00a0continuous improvements of seafarers\u2019 rights.<\/p>\n

The ILO reaffirms\u00a0its\u00a0commitment to the effective implementation of the MLC, 2006\u00a0worldwide, with the full support of the IMO,\u00a0in accordance with\u00a0its mandate.\u00a0IMO and ILO\u00a0call on all States and industry stakeholders to uphold its standards, strengthen compliance and work in partnership to guarantee seafarers\u2019 rights and promote a fair,\u00a0inclusive\u00a0and sustainable future for global shipping.<\/p>\n

Watch IMO Secretary-General video statement<\/h4>\n