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Maritime Labour Convention to come into force in August 2013

Maritime Labour Convention to come into force in August 2013
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) will come into force in year’s time after the Philippines and Russia completed ratification on Monday.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) said on 20 August that it had received the 30th ratification of the MLC, and it would come into force 12 months later. Ratification was completed by both the Philippines and Russia, meaning 30 states had ratified the convention, representing nearly 60% of global shipping tonnage.

“This is a remarkable achievement. Not only are these first 30 ratifications drawn from almost every region of the world, but the tonnage level is nearly double the required amount,” said Juan Somavia, director general of ILO.

The MLC has been described as a “bill of rights” for seafarers covering conditions of employment, hours of work and rest, accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering, health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protection.

“This convention is the result of tripartite negotiation over a lengthy period, which means that the labour standards which we have all agreed can be supported by governments, shipowners and seafarers giving us a uniform global framework of sound employment standards that is required by both shipowners and seafarers,” said Arthur Bowring, ISF Labour Affairs Committee Chairman.