GENEVA: The International Labour Organization and the International Maritime Organization marked the 20th anniversary of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, reaffirming their commitment to decent work at sea and to enforcement of minimum standards for seafarers worldwide. Adopted on Feb. 23, 2006, through tripartite consensus among governments, shipowners and seafarers, the convention created a single global framework for working and living conditions in one of the world’s most international industries and has become a central reference point for labour protections at sea.
Over two decades, the convention has set enforceable requirements covering conditions of employment, wages, hours of work and rest, accommodation, health protection and medical care, welfare and social security. It is underpinned by compliance and enforcement mechanisms intended to help ensure standards are applied in practice. The ILO and IMO said the convention has delivered concrete improvements for millions of seafarers, while also supporting fair competition by reducing incentives for substandard labour conditions and helping responsible shipowners compete on a more level playing field.
The organisations also pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a test that underscored seafarers’ role as key workers in maintaining the flow of essential goods. They said the disruption highlighted the importance of fully implementing and enforcing protections set out in the convention. Maritime transport remains a critical pillar of the global economy, and the ILO and IMO said the convention’s standards contribute to safety, efficiency and resilience across the shipping sector by strengthening the baseline for treatment of crews across flags and routes.
Challenges And Compliance Focus
The anniversary message also stressed that significant problems persist for seafarers and for the industry. The ILO and IMO cited unlawful attacks on ships, abandonment and criminalization of seafarers, fatigue, unpaid wages and denial of shore leave as among the challenges that continue to be reported. They called on states and industry stakeholders to uphold the convention’s standards and to strengthen compliance, emphasizing that protections depend on effective application by flag states, port states and employers throughout the maritime labour supply chain.
The ILO and IMO described the convention as a “living instrument” designed to adapt through tripartite dialogue. They pointed to the Special Tripartite Committee, the body responsible for keeping the convention under review, as a mechanism that has demonstrated the capacity to adopt amendments to keep pace with emerging realities and to support continuous improvements in seafarers’ rights. The IMO said the Joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group to Identify and Address Seafarers’ Issues and the Human Element was established in 2022, with agenda items that have included bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment.
Joint Guidance And Seafarer Protections
The IMO said it has worked with the ILO to develop and deliver guidance intended to support seafarers’ rights, including guidelines 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. It also noted that its Legal Committee maintains a standing agenda item on fair treatment of seafarers, reflecting continuing attention to cases in which crew members face legal proceedings or restrictions in the course of their work.
In their anniversary statement, the organisations said the ILO is committed to the convention’s effective implementation worldwide, with the full support of the IMO in line with its mandate. They urged governments and industry stakeholders to work in partnership to guarantee seafarers’ rights and to promote a fair, inclusive and sustainable future for global shipping, framing the 20-year milestone as both a measure of progress and a reminder that enforcement and cooperation remain central to protecting people who work at sea. – By Content Syndication Services.