Seafarers and Maritime Stakeholders looking forward to MLC 2006 Implementation

A seafarer’s right for safe and secure workplace, fair terms of employment, decent working conditions and medical care will finally be established as the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) is set to be implemented in a year’s time.

The ratification by Russia and the Philippines completed the 30 International Labor Organization (ILO) – member state requirement for the MLC 2006 to come into effect in 2013. As a result, seafarers will finally have a global standard that would be the basis for their working conditions and other basic rights.

The comprehensive rights and protection of seafarers that comes with the implementation of MLC 2006 will affect 1.2 million seafarers worldwide. Filipino seafarers, who form 30% of total seafarers worldwide, are looking forward to the said implementation in August 2013.

Aside from seafarers, ship owners and crew management companies are also looking forward to next year’s implementation of MLC 2006 which will establish the minimum requirement for almost all aspects of working conditions for seafarers.

“As Crew Managers we have a small part to play but I believe it will have a positive effect on refining the service we provide to our Principals,” said Dimitris A. Liolios, Vice – President of Crossworld Marine Services Inc.

One of the top crew management service providers in the shipping industry, Crossworld Marine Services Inc. believes that MLC 2006 will be beneficial not only for seafarers but also to all maritime stakeholders.

“We believe it will bring changes to the industry which will lead to a greater transparency for all involved,” explained Liolios.

Crossworld Marine Services’ Vice-President also added that MLC 2006 could boost the morale of seafarers who have been playing a crucial role in the global economy.

“I believe it is good to emphasize the difficult work that is carried out on board, with such high pressured conditions we seem to forget the challenging environment seafarers are exposed to and are required to perform under, with increasing requirement’s demanding even more of their limited time every day. I hope to see a little more admiration and respect given to seafarers for providing such an important role in global trade which without I believe most industries would suffer,” concluded Liolios.