The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a document explaining how the UK proposes to implement amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) which were agreed in June 2022.
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), also known as the “seafarers’ bill of rights,” sets out the minimum working and living standards for all seafarers employed on ships that fly the flags of ratifying countries.
While six of the MLC updates were already covered by existing UK legislation, Marine Information Notice 714 by the UK government lists four areas in need of update: cover for repatriation costs, access to social communications, a balanced, varied and nutritious diet, and financial accountability for a ship’s operation.
Many of the 2022 amendments are already covered under UK law, and Nautilus International has highlighted the following four changes in UK law that will soon take effect:
- Access to social connectivity (e.g. messaging apps, social media), which is now mandated under the amended MLC so seafarers can stay in touch with friends and family.
- Evidence of the financial security of the ship (to ensure that costs can be met when changes are needed following surveys, inspections and audits)
- The requirement to provide a diet which is not only nutritious, but also ‘balanced’. In the UK this is interpreted as a mixed diet of carbohydrates, protein, fat and fibre incorporating all necessary vitamins and minerals.
- A requirement for recruitment and placement services to provide seafarers with ‘adequate information regarding the system of protection to cover monetary loss’. If their employer does not meet its obligations (i.e. to explain how their repatriation will be funded), vessels will not need to meet these requirements until they come into force in UK law at some point in 2025.
In August 2024 Lloyd’s Register, provided an update on some of these amendments, highlighting that actions are required by the Member States.
