Introduction to MLC 2006
The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006) is an international labour convention adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) that establishes comprehensive rights and protections for seafarers worldwide. Often referred to as the “Seafarers’ Bill of Rights,” MLC 2006 sets minimum standards for working and living conditions aboard ships, ensuring that the estimated 1.9 million seafarers globally are treated with dignity and fairness.
MLC 2006 entered into force on 20 August 2013 and has since been ratified by over 100 countries, including India. It consolidates and updates more than 65 existing ILO maritime labour instruments, creating a single, comprehensive framework that applies to all ships engaged in commercial activities.
The Five Titles of MLC 2006
MLC 2006 is organised into five main titles, each addressing a critical aspect of seafarer welfare. Title 1, Minimum Requirements for Seafarers to Work on a Ship, covers minimum age requirements (no person under 16 may work on a ship), medical certification standards, training and qualifications, and the recruitment and placement process (Regulation 1.4, which prohibits charging recruitment fees to seafarers).
Title 2, Conditions of Employment, addresses seafarers’ employment agreements, wages, hours of work and rest, entitlement to leave, repatriation rights, compensation for ship loss or foundering, and career and skill development opportunities.
Title 3, Accommodation, Recreational Facilities, Food and Catering, sets standards for living spaces aboard ships including cabin sizes, sanitary facilities, ventilation and lighting, noise insulation, mess rooms and recreational areas, and food quality and quantity.
Title 4, Health Protection, Medical Care, Social Security, and Shore-Based Welfare, covers onboard medical care and hospital facilities, shipowner liability for sickness and injury, health and safety protection, social security coverage, and access to shore-based welfare facilities.
Title 5, Compliance and Enforcement, establishes the inspection and certification framework including flag state responsibilities, port state control procedures, maritime labour certificates, and complaint mechanisms for seafarers.
Your Rights as a Seafarer Under MLC 2006
Every seafarer working on a ship flying the flag of an MLC 2006 ratifying country has specific, enforceable rights. You have the right to a safe and secure workplace, fair terms of employment documented in a written agreement, decent working and living conditions, health protection and medical care, access to welfare measures, and the ability to make complaints without fear of retaliation.
Importantly, Regulation 1.4 specifically protects seafarers from being charged any fees for recruitment or job placement. Any crew manning agency that charges seafarers for finding them employment is in direct violation of MLC 2006. This zero-fee principle is fundamental to ethical maritime recruitment.
How MLC 2006 Applies in India
India ratified MLC 2006 in 2015, and the convention’s requirements are enforced through the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping). Indian crew management companies must comply with MLC 2006 standards in addition to the RPSL licensing framework. The Indian Maritime Administration conducts regular inspections of both ships and shore-based recruitment agencies to ensure compliance.
At Xfinity Maritime Services, MLC 2006 compliance is at the core of our operations. We maintain strict adherence to all five titles of the Convention, with particular emphasis on zero-fee recruitment (Regulation 1.4) and comprehensive seafarer welfare protections.
What to Do If Your Rights Are Violated
If you believe your MLC 2006 rights have been violated, you have several recourse options available. You may file an onboard complaint through the ship’s internal complaint procedures, contact the flag state administration responsible for the vessel, file a complaint with port state control authorities in any port of call, contact the ILO directly, or reach out to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). Remember, MLC 2006 explicitly protects seafarers from victimisation for filing complaints in good faith.