Maritime Labour Convention

Abstract

The Maritime Labour Convention (Convention) is a global legal instrument developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva. It was drafted with a view to completing the international regulatory regime for quality shipping as the “fourth pillar,” standing next to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. Its two fundamental aims are to ensure comprehensive and worldwide protection of the rights of seafarers, and in doing so, to also allow a level playing field for states and ship owners committed to providing decent working and living conditions for seafarers by protecting them from unfair competition on the part of substandard ships. To this end, the establishment of firm rules that can be flexibly implemented by state parties, while at the same time providing rigorous compliance and enforcement procedures to safeguard their integrity and efficiency, are important aspects underlying the Convention.