Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006): Frequently ...

1 INTERNATIONAL Labour ORGANIZATION INTERNATIONAL Labour STANDARDS DEPARTMENT Maritime Labour convention , 2006 (MLC, 2006 ) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Fourth edition, 2015 ( ) INTERNATIONAL Labour OFFICE, GENEVA Copyright International Labour Organization 2015 First published 2006 Fourth edition 2015 Publications of the International Labour Office enjoy copyright under Protocol 2 of the Universal Copyright convention . Nevertheless, short excerpts from them may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated.

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3 ISBN 978-92-2-129757-4 (print) ISBN 978-92-2-129758-1 (web pdf) Maritime Labour convention , 2006 . Frequently Asked Questions. Fourth edition, 2015 Also available in French: convention du travail Maritime , 2006 (MLC, 2006 ). Questions fr quentes. Quatri me dition, 2015 (ISBN 978-92-2-229757-3), Geneva, 2015, in Spanish: Convenio sobre el trabajo mar timo (MLC, 2006 ). Preguntas m s frecuentes. Cuarta edici n , 2015 (ISBN 978-92-2-329757-2), Geneva, 2015. ILO Cataloguing in Publication Data The designations employed in ILO publications, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.

4 The responsibility for opinions expressed in signed articles, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and publication does not constitute an endorsement by the International Labour Office of the opinions expressed in them. Reference to names of firms and commercial products and processes does not imply their endorsement by the International Labour Office, and any failure to mention a particular firm, commercial product or process is not a sign of disapproval.

5 ILO publications and digital products can be obtained through major booksellers and digital distribution platforms, or ordered directly from For more information, visit our website: or contact Printed by the International Labour Office, Geneva, Switzerland normes -2015-MLC-FAQ-[NORME-130726-2] iii Preface This fourth edition of the ILO s Maritime Labour convention , 2006 Frequently Asked Questions has been prepared by the International Labour Office as part of the follow-up to the ILO s Action plan to achieve rapid and widespread ratification and effective implementation of the Maritime Labour convention , 2006 .

6 The Maritime Labour convention , 2006 (MLC, 2006 ), was adopted by the 94th ( Maritime ) Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) on 23 February 2006 . The MLC, 2006 entered into force on 20 August 2013 and, as of March 2015, has been ratified by 66 countries representing more than 80 per cent of the world gross tonnage of ships. Since 2006 , both interest and experience with the MLC, 2006 has grown. In 2012, in order to help promote greater ownership of the MLC, 2006 among ILO constituents and also to facilitate the understanding of the convention , the International Labour Office prepared an online electronic database of answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), which was also prepared in the form of an ILO paper publication.

7 It was intended to be an easily accessible source of information that would be regularly updated. The FAQ is intended to help persons engaged in the study or application of the MLC, 2006 to find answers to questions they have about this innovative ILO convention . It must be noted that the answers provided in the FAQ cannot in themselves be cited as authoritative legal opinions. This is because the precise requirements of the convention are those contained in the national laws or regulations or other measures adopted by each country to implement the MLC, 2006 .

8 The answers in the FAQ are intended to provide information in the form of brief explanations referring to the convention and other reference materials. They are not legal opinions or legal advice as to the meaning of a requirement in the convention or its application to an individual situation. Such opinions can be provided by the ILO to governments and shipowners and seafarers organizations, in particular, upon request and on the understanding that only the International Court of Justice is competent to give authoritative interpretations of international Labour Conventions.

9 This FAQ is one of a series of publications and other resources, including Guidelines recommended by meetings of experts, that have been developed to assist ILO Members when implementing the MLC, 2006 (a list is set out in this FAQ under the heading Other useful sources of information ). These resources can all be viewed and freely downloaded from the ILO s dedicated website for the MLC, 2006 under the link Monitoring and implementation tools at: Preparation and publication of these resources would not have been possible without the technical cooperation support of ILO Members.

10 In particular, support has been provided by the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). iv normes -2015-MLC-FAQ-[NORME-130726-2] Finally, it is intended that the MLC, 2006 FAQ online database will be updated and subsequent editions/revisions will be published from time to time to reflect these updates based on questions that have arisen during the practical and legal implementation of the MLC, 2006 . Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry Director International Labour Standards Department normes -2015-MLC-FAQ-[NORME-130726-2] v Acknowledgements This fourth edition of the FAQ has been prepared under the direction of Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, Director of the International Labour Standards Department of the International Labour Office, with the assistance of special advisers to the ILO on the MLC, 2006 Mr Dominick Devlin and Dr Moira L.