A Passport to Decent Work

Life at Sea Sailing with the MLC

We had arrived in China at just about the same time as Typhoon Utor. Which was a bit of a problem, since our cameraman Damien Riunaud and I had travelled to Shenzhen to board the Singapore-bound APL Boston container ship and produce video footage documenting life at sea. The trip was meant to coincide with the coming into force of the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006), also known as the Seafarers’ Bill of Rights.

2014.02.23 - Life at Sea Sailing with the MLC Figure 3

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Eight Ships Detained for MLC Related Deficiencies in Paris MoU During First Month of MLC Implementation

On 20 August 2013 the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) entered into force and became a relevant instrument for the Paris MoU. During the first month 8 ships were detained for MLC-related deficiencies in areas under the jurisdiction of Paris MoU. This means that 12% of the total number of detentions (68) in the Paris MoU area in this period was MLC, 2006 related.

2013.10.08 - Eight Ships Detained for MLC Related Deficiencies in Paris MoU During First Month of MLC Implementation

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MLC 2006, a Ship Without Rudder and Compass? Time Will Tell…

Today the Maritime Labour Convention, MLC 2006, officially enters into force. The MLC was established during 2006 as the Fourth pillar of the international maritime law, the other three pillars are the SOLAS, STCW and MARPOL. A lot has been written about the subject and the general “atmosphere” that has been maintained in the industry is that the convention is for the good of the seafarers and a powerful tool to help them defend their rights. In May 1, the International Workers’ Day, the Officer of the Watch blog started a poll about what our readers believe regarding the MLC by simply asking if it will improve the seafarers’ life onboard.

2013.08.19 - MLC 2006, a Ship Without Rudder and Compass Time Will Tell... Figure 1

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Will ILO MLC Deliver as Promised?

ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), the so called “ILO Super Convention” is expected to enter into force on August the 20th as the 4th pillar of Maritime Regulatory Compliance along with SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW. As the clock is ticking towards the deadline let’s see if the MLC will deliver the promised land by examining some key issues involved.

2013.06.06 - Will ILO MLC Deliver as Promised

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MLC 2006 Enforcement through Port State Control Inspections in Ports (MLC Regulation 5.2.1)

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006) was adopted by the International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO), under article 19 of its Constitution, during a maritime session in February 2006 in Geneva. The aim of the current article is to analyze MLC regulation 5.2.1 regarding inspections in ports. In other words it will be discussed how member states which have ratified the MLC will enforce it through Port State Control (PSC) procedures.

2013.05.01 - MLC 2006 Enforcement through PSC Inspections in Ports MLC 2006 Enforcement through Port State Control Inspections in Ports (MLC Regulation 5.2.1) Figure 1

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Maritime Labour Convention Ratification

The ILO has received the 30th ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) fulfilling the last condition for the first global standard that spans continents and oceans to go into effect in a year’s time.

“This is great news for the world’s more than 1.2 million seafarers,” said ILO Director General Juan Somavia. “It was a dream of the ILO as early as 1920, and I pay tribute to the international maritime community for having made it a reality.”

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