Guidelines to welfare aspects of the MLC 2006

With the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), the International Labour Organisation ILO laid down binding and worldwide requirements which provide seafarers with the right to appropriate work and life on board sea-going vessels. Now the new Guidelines for implementing the Welfare aspects of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 follow with practical guidance.

In the guidelines it is described which social support contributes to the welfare of seafarers. The usage of the internet on board as well as in the ports plays an important role in the day-to-day life of seafarers. The protection of underage seafarers and reliable payment of wages - even in the event of illness – are further requirements with direct impact for the seafarers.

For seafarers their ships are not only workplace but for long stretches of time the place where they spent their time off. Seafarers from all around the world work and live together in limited space far from their friends and family. The guidelines explain that this difficult situation can be eased by appropriate accommodation (e.g. good furnishings, ventilation, heating, adequate separation of operational and sleeping areas), compliance with health and safety standards (medical equipment, sanitary facilities, etc.) and regard for personal needs (this also includes spaces for religious activities and recreational facilities and equipment). Other aspects that need to be taken into account are a healthy and balanced diet as well as occupational health and safety.

As seafarers usually spend only a rather short time with their ship in a port, it is crucial that the orientation at these often new and alien places is facilitated. The accessibility of urban facilities such as banks, doctors, advisory or counselling services, shopping places or recreational facilities as well as welfare facilities (e.g. seamen's missions) have proven to be important. Therefore, the member states of the ILO should support financing and organisation of these onshore social facilities.

Germany bindingly joined the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) in 2013. With the German Maritime Labour Act, the legislator brought into force the provisions of the Convention in German law. For all parties involved in implementing these provisions, the German Flag State Administration also published comprehensive and recently revised Guidelines on the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention on board of German flagged ships. On the webpages of the section "Crew", there is further information given about this topic.