Understanding the Maritime Labour Convention

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) is an international labor agreement ensuring comprehensive rights and protection for seafarers worldwide. It consolidates and updates over 68 international labor standards related to the maritime sector.

MLC guarantees seafarers' rights to fair employment terms, decent working and living conditions, healthcare, welfare measures, and social security. It's often called the 'Seafarers' Bill of Rights.'

Ratifying countries must inspect ships and issue compliance certificates. Ships can be detained if found non-compliant, ensuring high standards of welfare for seafarers globally.

Amendments to the MLC ensure it adapts to changes in seafaring and technology. Recent changes include regulations on abandonment, contractual repatriation, and compensation for shipboard personal injury.

The MLC affects over 1.5 million seafarers and impacts 98% of the global shipping industry. It harmonizes standards, facilitating fair competition and protecting workers' rights.

Unlike other labor conventions, MLC has a no more favorable treatment clause, meaning ships from non-ratifying countries receive no preferential treatment in ports of member states.

Future MLC revisions may address emerging issues like digitalization, autonomous shipping, and environmental sustainability. These revisions will continue to shape seafarer welfare and global maritime labor standards.