Bringing the human element to the forefront: the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 ready to sail

Abstract

The International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 MLC, 2006) will finally come into effect in August 2013, some seven and a half years after its adoption. The MLC, 2006, which updates and replaces almost 40 existing ILO maritime Conventions, introduces several innovatory features, including certification of labour conditions for ships of over 500 gross tons engaged in international voyages as part of a detailed flag State and port State inspection regime. The MLC, 2006 covers all aspects of maritime employment and seeks to ensure decent working and living conditions for seafarers as well as conditions of fair competition for shipowners. At the time of its entry into force, the MLC, 2006 covers already two-thirds of the world’s gross tonnage of ships.