Web alert: 7 August 2014 - MLC enters force in the UK

The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) enters into force in the UK on 7 August 2014, following ratification of the Convention in August 2013. The UK was the 41st International Labour Organisation Member State to ratify the Convention.
 
As is already well known, the MLC sets out minimum working and living rights for the world’s 1.2 million seafarers and has been referred to as the seafarers’ Bill of Rights. It has replaced 68 international labour standards relevant to the maritime sector which have been in place for 80 years and it consolidates many existing ILO conventions.
 
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has produced guidance for how employers and seafarers can prepare to meet the MLC. This can be found here.  

It is understood that there have already been detentions of vessels in UK ports arising as a result of non-compliance with the MLC. These have primarily been related to unpaid wages reported by seafarer unions to Port State Control. In light of these detentions Members should be mindful that the UK authorities may seek to ensure compliance with the provisions of the MLC where appropriate.
 
The full text of the MLC can be found here.