THE International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) have jointly released new Guidelines for implementing the Welfare aspects of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
Adopted by the International Labour Organisation in 2006, the MLC aims to ensure comprehensive worldwide protection and enforcement of the rights of seafarers, and to establish a level playing field for ILO member states and shipowners committed to providing decent working and living conditions for seafarers.
ICS and ITF emphasise that a number of countries with highly developed arrangements for providing seafarer welfare services and facilities are not yet signatories to the MLC, while many seafarer supply countries have also not yet developed welfare organisations to provide services or facilities for seafarers either at home or abroad.
Said ICS secretary general Guy Platten: 'While some countries may already have their own laws and policies in place, they may nevertheless wish to adapt these new guidelines to complement their current practices.'
Said ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton: 'Seafarers remain on board ships with limited time ashore. They require adequate services at sea and in ports where different national, cultural and political experiences can create challenges.'
Adopted by the International Labour Organisation in 2006, the MLC aims to ensure comprehensive worldwide protection and enforcement of the rights of seafarers, and to establish a level playing field for ILO member states and shipowners committed to providing decent working and living conditions for seafarers.
ICS and ITF emphasise that a number of countries with highly developed arrangements for providing seafarer welfare services and facilities are not yet signatories to the MLC, while many seafarer supply countries have also not yet developed welfare organisations to provide services or facilities for seafarers either at home or abroad.
Said ICS secretary general Guy Platten: 'While some countries may already have their own laws and policies in place, they may nevertheless wish to adapt these new guidelines to complement their current practices.'
Said ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton: 'Seafarers remain on board ships with limited time ashore. They require adequate services at sea and in ports where different national, cultural and political experiences can create challenges.'