Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006
Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 enters into force
(August 20th, 2013)
On the 20th of August 2012, the International Labour Organization (ILO) officially announced that the ILO MLC, 2006 has achieved the required ratifications and will therefore enter into force in 12 months - in August 2013.
Sweden (June 2012), Cyprus (July 2012), Philippines and Russia (20 August 2012) are the latest countries which have ratified the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, raising the overall number of Countries that have ratified the MLC 2006 to 31.
The MLC, 2006 will come into force 12 months after the date in which there have been registered ratifications by at least 30 Countries with a total share in the world gross tonnage of ships of 33 per cent.
With the current ratifications by 31 ILO Member Countries and since the total share in the world gross tonnage of ships of 33% has been long met (2009), the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 will enter into force on the 20th of August 2013.
Enforcing Compliance with MLC 2006
Ships of 500 GT or over will be required to carry a Maritime Labour Certificate (MLC) as well as a Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) following a successful initial on-board inspection.
The Maritime Labour Certificate will confirm that the working and living conditions have been inspected and verified to meet national laws and regulations implementing the MLC 2006.
Ships below 500 GT will be subject to an inspection at intervals not exceeding three years, with no certificate to be issued.
