ILO, IMO Renew Call for Fair Shipping Practices on MLC’s 20th Anniversary

The International Labour Organisation and International Maritime Organisation have jointly marked the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), with a renewed call for fair and sustainable global shipping, protecting seafarer’s rights.

The 2006 convention is a landmark treaty that has reshaped working and living conditions for seafarers worldwide and strengthened fair competition in global shipping.

Adopted on 23 February 2006 by the International Maritime Labour Conference through an unprecedented tripartite consensus, the MLC 2006 stands as a powerful example of social dialogue and multilateral cooperation in action.

Governments, shipowners and seafarers came together to establish this comprehensive global framework to regulate working and living conditions in one of the world’s most international industries.

In a joint statement from the International Labour Organisation, the International Chamber of Shipping, and International Transport Workers’ Federation on the 20th anniversary of the Maritime Labour Convention, they reaffirmed commitment to the principles and protections the convention embodies and recognised the profound impact it has had on seafarers and on global shipping.

According to the statement, the adoption of the MLC, was made possible through close and constructive tripartite cooperation between governments, shipowners and seafarers that shared commitment, ensuring that the Convention is both ambitious in its protections and practical in its implementation across a truly global industry.

“This spirit of partnership has remained central to its continued strength and relevance.

“Since its entry into force, the MLC has delivered tangible improvements in living and working conditions on board ships, strengthened compliance through flag and port state control, and provided a structured mechanism to address emerging challenges.

“Amendments adopted over the past decade enhanced financial security protections, supported seafarers in cases of abandonment and criminalization, and reinforced safeguards in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, violence and harassment on board.

“In a context of geopolitical uncertainty and climate transition which significantly affect shipping and seafarers, we re-emphasise our shared resolve to ensure that the MLC remains robust and is fully implemented,” it partly reads.

On the anniversary, the group urged countries across the world to recognize seafarers as key workers, “protecting and advancing the standards of the MLC is essential for the dignity and welfare of seafarers and for the resilience and stability of global trade,” they said.