19 August 2013
ITF gives warm welcome to MLC 2006
As the Maritme Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) comes into the force the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation)
has promised to dedicate all its resources to helping it make real changes to the lives of all seafarers. The ITF
recognises the MLC as the first ever true bill of rights for those working at sea, and its president today described its
going live as “a significant leap forward”.
The ITF has worked alongside shipping organisations, the ILO and governments for over a decade to jointly create and
shape the MLC, and is committed to monitoring and assisting its implementation and persuading many more countries to
ratify it.
ITF president Paddy Crumlin stated: “The MLC represents a significant leap forward in the global trade union campaign to
improve the labour rights and labour standards of seafarers. It is a true watershed in international shipping, which
adds the pillar of workers’ rights to existing standards of safety, security and crew standards.”
He continued: “For nations in the Asia Pacific region, which supplies the majority of the world’s seafarers and where
the bulk of global sea trade is concentrated, the MLC will underpin new seafarer employment opportunities and is a key
plank in the global shipping regulatory framework designed to secure the future of a high quality and competitive
shipping industry.”
ITF acting general secretary Stephen Cotton added: ‘We now have a bill of rights for seafarers – including those on
international cruise ships – that sets out the right to a safe and secure workplace; fair terms of employment; decent
living and working conditions; access to medical care, health protection and welfare, and to freedom of association.”
He continued: “It has been a hard-won victory to reach this moment. Now the same coalition of the ILO, unions, maritime
organisations and governments have to continue to jointly build on and support the convention, and make sure that as
many countries as possible ratify this landmark piece of legislation.”
The ITF is supporting the MLC’s launch with a range of advice and materials designed to help seafarers understand and
apply it. These include a dedicated web area complete with advice and Q at www.itfmlc.org; a new leaflet for all those working on cruise ships, The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 – what does it mean for cruise crews, which can be downloaded at www.itfglobal.org/infocentre/pubs.cfm; and more, including the previously published, in-depth guide A seafarers’ bill of rights, available at www.itfglobal.org/infocentre/pubs.cfm/detail/23556. The MLC is also welcomed in a short film featuring Paddy Crumlin and Steve Cotton, which can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CmXhW-JSA4.
The ITF is also collaborating fully with the ILO’s welcoming publicity around the MLC, which can be seen at www.ilo.org/global/standards/maritime-labour-convention.
Steve Cotton
ENDS