Singapore MPA clarifies who are seafarers under UN's new labour rules
THE Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has issued a circular stating what category of personnel, working on ships and other marine related activities in the port, that will not be considered as seafarers in compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC), which comes into force on August 20.
The MLC, which was adopted by the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO) applies to all ships registered with the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) ordinarily engaged in commercial activities.
In a circular issued by the MPA, it states that the MLC tripartite working group has agreed that harbour pilots, port workers, persons temporarily employed on the ship in port, guest entertainers, surveyors, ship inspectors, superintendents, scientists, researchers, divers, repair technicians and specialist offshore technicians ships should not be regarded as seafarers for the purposes of application of the MLC. In addition, privately contracted security personnel should also not be regarded as seafarers.
"In case of doubt whether the MLC will apply to a category of persons on board a Singapore ship, a company should approach the Seafarers Management Department (MMO_mpa@mpa.gov.sg) in MPA for assistance and confirmation," the circular said.
THE Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has issued a circular stating what category of personnel, working on ships and other marine related activities in the port, that will not be considered as seafarers in compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC), which comes into force on August 20.
The MLC, which was adopted by the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO) applies to all ships registered with the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) ordinarily engaged in commercial activities.
In a circular issued by the MPA, it states that the MLC tripartite working group has agreed that harbour pilots, port workers, persons temporarily employed on the ship in port, guest entertainers, surveyors, ship inspectors, superintendents, scientists, researchers, divers, repair technicians and specialist offshore technicians ships should not be regarded as seafarers for the purposes of application of the MLC. In addition, privately contracted security personnel should also not be regarded as seafarers.
"In case of doubt whether the MLC will apply to a category of persons on board a Singapore ship, a company should approach the Seafarers Management Department (MMO_mpa@mpa.gov.sg) in MPA for assistance and confirmation," the circular said.