Tag: MLC Convention

The Philippines stands to benefit the most by ratifying the MLC If things fall into their proper places, the Philippines may likely ratify the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) before the end of this year. This was the general consensus and optimism shared by the members of the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC) during a Forum - Consultation on the International Labour Organization's MLC 2006 for the Domestic Shipping Sector held on August 31, 2011 at the CSB Hotel in Malate, Manila.Since assuming the Department of Labor and Employment portfolio, Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has been spending a good amount of time in pushing for the country's ratification of the MLC 2006, which she described in her message at the start of the forum as an international instrument that sets the standards for the better protection of seafarers and one that provides a socio-economic floor to fair and just global competition in the maritime sector."For the Philippines, the ratification of the MLC affirms the country's standing as the manning capital of the world with 250,000 Filipino seafarers who are literally and figuratively the driving force behind ships that handle the world's trade, and who comprise 30% of the world's seafarers," ...

Antigua & Barbuda ratified the Convention on the 11th of August The maritime administration of Antigua and Barbuda has authorised Germanischer Lloyd (GL) to carry out inspection and certification services under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006).Antigua & Barbuda ratified the Convention on the 11th of August, giving complete effect to the Convention and have implemented the related national requirements in the Antigua and Barbuda Maritime Legislation. Ships with the Antigua and Barbuda Flag can request certification for voluntary compliance prior to the anticipated entry into force date.GL as a Recognised Organisation acting on behalf of the flag State is now additionally authorised to conduct MLC 2006 related review, inspection and certification tasks."This authorisation puts our clients into the convenient position of being able to apply for certification of their Antigua & Barbuda flagged vessels in advance of Convention's entry into force. This will ensure a smooth, speedy transfer to MLC 2006 certification, avoiding possible bottlenecks and delays that could arise in 2012 and 2013," says Olaf Quas GL's Global Head of Practice ISM/ISPS/MLC, 2006.GL provides a comprehensive all-round package through its ILO CERT service including: the MLC ANALYSER, a self assessment tool which enables ship managers to assess ...

Antigua and Barbuda is the third Caribbean country to ratify MLC On 11 August 2011 the Government of Antigua and Barbuda communicated to the International Labour Office (ILO) the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Antigua and Barbuda is the third Caribbean country, after the Bahamas and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to ratify the MLC, 2006.Ms Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, Director of the International Labour Standards Department of the ILO, said: "The ratification of the MLC, 2006 by Antigua and Barbuda is a very positive signal sent in response to the ratification campaign of the MLC, 2006 launched by the Director-General of the ILO in December 2010. It sends the right message to other ILO member States to come on board and ensure fair competition for shipowners together with fair and decent working conditions for seafarers around the world.As a Caribbean country and an important flag State, I am very pleased that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda through this ratification is demonstrating its commitment to decent work for seafarers working on board ships flying the flag of the country."Mr. Dwight Gardiner, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the International Maritime Organization, stated "the protection ...

In CD form As the date of entry into force of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006) rapidly approaches, shipowners, managers, crewing agencies and seafarers are starting to familiarise themselves with the new requirements.With some 55,000 seagoing vessels requiring certification of compliance and the regulations impacting on every level of an organisation, this preparation is a massive task.To support the maritime industry in this Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has developed a comprehensive E-Learning tool for the MLC 2006 in CD form, the first such tool covering the convention.Regulations governing working and living conditions for seafarers will become mandatory for nearly every seagoing ship trading internationally with the entry into force of the MLC, 2006. The convention sets out international regulations to provide seafarers with fair, safe and decent working and living conditions, and requires the awareness of all parties involved in the implementation of this new Convention.GL´s E-Learning Tool touches on all relevant aspects of the MLC 2006. It explains, step by step, every single regulation of the convention. Olaf Quas, GL's Global Head of Practice ISM/ISPS/MLC 2006, explains: "We have developed this e-learning tool to help individuals prepare themselves and where the main topics of the MLC 2006 are ...

Seafarers have human rights too The upcoming Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 is a challenge to the entire maritime community. "Seafarers have human rights too" was the headline of a commentary on the new International Labour Organization (ILO) convention when it was passed. The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) regulates working and living conditions for seafarers and helps to create conditions of fair competition for ship owners. The ILO convention replaces earlier labour conventions and is seen as the "fourth pillar" of maritime regulation beside SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW conventions.

MLC 2006 formula requires special training Dominick Devlin is a special advisor on the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) and he is one of the experts involved in the Maritime Labour Academy, a programme of specialized courses aimed at strengthening the capacity of governments, shipowners and seafarers in the application of the Convention. In this interview, Dominick Devlin explains why the MLC, 2006 formula requires special training and why this is essential for the enforcement of the Convention.What is so innovative about the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 to require such a specific training programme? The MLC, 2006 is an immense endeavour and there has been nothing like it since 1919, when the first international labour convention was adopted. The MLC, 2006 places together about 36 existing Conventions, it consolidates them, and when countries ratify it they are not allowed to "pick and choose" between the various parts, like in some other ILO Conventions.What makes it easy for these countries to ratify is a principle of firmness and flexibility: firmness on making sure that the rights of the seafarers are enforced but with a considerable degree of flexibility for the governments, in the way that they will deliver those rights.On the ...

The requirements for Hong Kong ships The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is currently drafting domestic legislation to give effect to the Maritime Labour Convention. In order to allow all concerned parties to have a better understanding and advance preparation in implementing the Convention for Hong Kong ships once the Convention is in effect, the Hong Kong Marine Department (HKMD) has drafted the requirements for Hong Kong ships with respect to the 14 items of the Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC)- Part I that must be inspected for certification purpose.Shipowners and ship managers for Hong Kong ships, in particular, are encouraged to prepare their DMLC-Part II to develop measures corresponding to the draft requirements of DMLC-Part I.For more information, click here.Source: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

This authorizes certain ROs to carry out inspections and issue certificates under the MLC, 2006 The Republic of the Marshall Islands ratified the MLC, 2006 on 25 September 2007. Marine Notice No. 2-011-33 establishes the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator's Inspection and Certification Program to implement the MLC, 2006, which governs maritime labor conditions and sets minimum standards for the working and living conditions of seafarers aboard ships as applicable.The Inspection and Certification Program authorizes certain Recognized Organizations (ROs) including Bureau Veritas, as established under separate written agreement, to carry out inspections and issue certificates under the MLC, 2006 on behalf of the Marshall IslandsIn addition to the relevant Marshall Islands Laws and Regulations presently in effect with respect to maritime labor standards, ship owners and operators are encouraged to give effect to provisions of Marine Notice No. 2-011-33 on a voluntary basis in order to establish the necessary measures for verifying compliance in anticipation of the entry into force of the MLC, 2006.Maritime Labor Certificates issued during the voluntary period prior to the MLC 2006 coming into full force and effect shall be convertible to full MLC 2006 certificates when the MLC, 2006 comes into force.For more ...

Being the first manning agency to be certified by class society in the Philippines Bureau Veritas has certified Philippines-based manning agency Maryville Manila for compliance to the Maritime Labour Convention MLC2006 on a voluntary basis making it the first manning agency to be certified by class society in the Philippines.Claude Maillot, VP Ships in Service Management at Bureau Veritas, said: The readiness of Maryville Manila to move towards voluntary compliance and certification under MLC2006 in advance of the convention coming into force demonstrates both the quality of the organisation and the forward thinking of its management. We have so far certified one seafarer manning office in the UK and its branch office in India, two in Greece and we have published a Guidance Note (NI 563) to facilitate the certification process. We expect other manning offices be looking for certification before the convention enters into force, probably next year.Emmanuel Danion, Bureau Veritas Country Chief Executive for the Philippines, added: The Filipino manning industry is very important both here in the Philippines and as the biggest resource of skilled manpower for global shipping. It is most important that manning agencies are forward looking and ready to comply with global standards, as ...

The purpose of this circular is to inform users about the current stage of adaptation of MLC 2006 The Panama Maritime Authority issues Merchant Marine Circular MMC-227 regarding Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006).The purpose of this circular is to inform users about the current stage of the adaptation of the national regulation according to the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, (MLC, 2006) as well as the issuance of the Declaration of the Maritime Labour Compliance.To view more information, click here.Source: Panama Maritime Authority