2006 Maritime Labour Convention

In February 2006 the International Labour Organisation Maritime Labour Convention 2006 was adopted in Geneva. In the convention, 38 maritime International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and over twenty maritime ILO recommendations have been merged and modernised.
The convention will come into effect twelve months after 30 nations –jointly representing at least 33% of the world fleet´s total gross tonnage (GT)– have ratified the convention. It is expected that this threshold will be reached in 2011 or 2012. The Dutch government is working towards being a party to the convention by this time. Currently the government is involved in the process of those amendments to legislation that will be needed for ratification and implementation. Said legislation includes the Commercial Code, the Civil Code, the Maritime Crews Act and a number of acts concerning health and safety at work.
Ratification and implementation by the Netherlands are also affected by the European guideline –adopted in December 2008– concerning the European implementation of parts of the convention based on the agreement reached by European social partners.
Broadly speaking, the convention will cover seafarers’ working and living conditions on board. Aspects covered will be maritime labour laws, social security, working and resting times, manning levels and seafarers’ meals and medical provisions.
One aspect of the convention is new to ILO regulations and concerns ships’ certification as proof that the agreed standards regarding seafarers’ working and living conditions are being met. Certification will be for ships individually, the so-called Maritime Labour Certificate which will have the declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance as an appendix. Compliance with the convention will be monitored as part of Port State Control inspections.