Oman became the 100th ILO Member State to ratify the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC). The Ambassador of Oman, Idris Abdul Rahman Al Khanjari, formally submitted the ratification documents on 29 March.
In light of this, IMO has welcomed the 100th ratification of the ILO’s Maritime Labor Convention, which is the global instrument mandating seafarers’ employment rights and decent working conditions. Oman deposited its instrument of ratification with the ILO on 11 April 2022.
This ratification reaffirms the commitment of my country to uphold the provisions of the Convention to achieve decent work for seafarers. We shall spare no efforts in safeguarding seafarers labor rights
…Idris Abdul Rahman Al Khanjari, Ambassador of Oman.
What is the Maritime Labor Convention?
The MLC, 2006, is considered the fourth pillar of the international regulatory regime for quality shipping, complementing three key IMO treaties on safety of life at sea (SOLAS), training of seafarers (STCW) and marine pollution prevention, (MARPOL). The MLC, 2006 lays out requirements for payment of wages, leave, repatriation and medical care of seafarers, creating regulatory obligations for States, ship owners and operators.
The Convention brought together a large number of existing industry labor standards that no longer reflected contemporary working and living conditions, had low ratification levels, or inadequate enforcement and compliance systems. Combining these often very detailed instruments into one Convention, makes it easier for countries to regulate and enforce consistent industry norms and standards, worldwide.
Operating in a safer and more supportive working atmosphere boosts the ability of seafarers to avoid and respond to incidents at sea that could impact vessels and their crew, cargoes and the marine environment.
As informed, IMO and ILO have a close working relationship. This has included input into the 2014 amendments to the MLC related to financial security in the case of abandonment of seafarers. A joint IMO/ILO working group reported to both IMO’s Legal Committee and ILO’s governing bodies. The two organizations regularly share information about issues of seafarer wellbeing and jointly maintain a database listing cases of seafarer abandonment.
This collaboration has proven particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic where both organizations worked closely together to address the crew change crisis and its consequences.
Another joint ILO-IMO Tripartite Working Group has been established to further identify and address seafarers’ issues and the human element. The group is expected to meet later in 2022.
📢 The @ilo Maritime Labour Convention reaches 100th ratification!
🙌🏾 Over 96% of the world’s shipping and most of the seafarer labour supplying countries are now covered by this international standard.https://t.co/Nh2q9fhyOo
— International Labour Organization (@ilo) April 11, 2022
