Maritime Labour Convention

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 consolidated a large number of earlier international labour instruments into a single comprehensive treaty covering the rights of seafarers at work. Developed by the International Labour Organization and widely ratified, it is frequently described as the fourth pillar of international shipping regulation alongside the IMO's SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW, because together they cover the safe, clean, competent and decently crewed operation of ships. Its aim is both to protect seafarers, who work far from home in a demanding environment, and to create a level playing field so that responsible owners are not undercut by those who exploit their crews.

The convention sets minimum requirements across the whole span of a seafarer's working life. It covers the conditions for employment, including written seafarer employment agreements and the regulation of recruitment and placement services; hours of work and rest, to guard against fatigue; accommodation, food and catering standards aboard; health protection, medical care, welfare and social security; and the timely payment of wages. It also gives seafarers accessible means to complain and to have grievances addressed both on board and ashore.

Compliance is built into the ship certification system. Ships above a certain size carry a Maritime Labour Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance describing how the flag state's requirements are met, and these are inspected by flag states and, importantly, by Port State Control, which can detain a ship for serious breaches such as unpaid wages or unfit living conditions. This enforcement gives the convention real teeth, and it has become a significant factor in how crews are employed and cared for, and in how the industry addresses problems such as abandonment of seafarers by insolvent owners.