ILO adds adhesions to seafarers’ protection

ILO adds adhesions to seafarers’ protection
April 14, 2022 https://www.plenglish.com/news/2022/04/14/ilo-adds-adhesions-to-seafarer...

Geneva, Apr 14 (Prensa Latina) The Maritime Labor Convention, adopted by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 2006, reached today the ratification of 100 member states of that organization with the adhesion of Oman.

This decision means that more than 96 percent of countries are now covered by this internationally agreed standard, which also applies to most seafarer supplying nations.

Oman’s ambassador to the ILO, Idris Abdul Rahman Al Khanjari, formally presented the accreditation documents, he said his country will comply with the provisions of the Convention, with the aim of ensuring decent employment and the protection of labor rights for maritime workers.

ILO Director-General Guy Ryder noted that Oman is the first member of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council to join global efforts to ensure decent work for seafarers and fair competition for shipowners.

He said that since 2006, the Maritime Labor Convention has become a global benchmark for the maritime industry and the fourth pillar of the international maritime regime.

Among its requirements are the payment of wages, leave, repatriation and medical care for seafarers, with regulatory obligations for States, shipowners and operators.

It replaced a large number of existing industry standards that no longer reflected contemporary living and working conditions, had low levels of ratification, or inadequate implementation and enforcement systems, making it easier to regulate and enforce industry standards and guidelines in a globally consistent manner.

The treaty covers more than 96 percent of the world fleet, protecting the rights, wages and conditions of nine out of 10 seafarers and the reliability of global supply chains, Ryder noted.

The ILO hopes to soon reach 150 signatories and its compliance with the other three International Maritime Organization conventions, on safety of life at sea, training of maritime workers and prevention of marine pollution.

Published by: Ana Ibis Falcón Lamoth

ef/afl/mgt/crc