New amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention draw on pandemic lessons

Drawing on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global shipping industry has adopted eight amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) aimed at improving seafarers’ living and working conditions.

Agreed by governments, seafarers and shipowners at the Special Tripartite Meeting of the MLC, 2006 — held in hybrid format from 5–13 May 2022 with more than 500 delegates — the amendments strengthen protections across several areas:

• Personal protective equipment in appropriate sizes, including for the growing number of women seafarers;
• Free-of-charge access to good-quality drinking water;
• Faster repatriation of abandoned seafarers;
• Medical care for seafarers needing immediate assistance, and repatriation of the remains of those who die on board;
• Appropriate social connectivity on board, with internet access provided in ports;
• Clear information on seafarers’ rights to compensation for losses caused by recruitment and placement services;
• Annual recording and reporting of all seafarer deaths to the ILO, with the data published.

The amendments were due to be presented for approval at the International Labour Conference, with entry into force expected by December 2024. The committee also adopted resolutions on the bullying and harassment of seafarers, the financial-security system that protects abandoned crew, and seafarers’ means of contractual redress against shipowners.

Source: International Labour Organization (ILO).