‘Potentially transformational’ deal hatched between employers and seafarers

The International Labour Organisation’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) has been updated, following lengthy negotiations last week in Geneva.

Under ILO’s Special Tripartite Committee on the MLC, governments, shipowners, and unions met last week to review and adopt crucial updates that reflect the evolving needs of seafarers and the maritime industry.

Among the suite of amendments agreed to improve the working and living conditions of seafarers onboard ships were provisions for seafarers to be designated as key workers; strengthened requirements to support seafarer repatriation; new mandatory measures to ensure that they have access to shore leave without needing a visa or special permit; and enhanced protections against bullying and harassment.

Helio Vicente, director of employment affairs at the International Chamber of Shipping, a shipowner lobby group, said the amendments were “potentially transformational”.

Corinne Vargha, director of the International Labour Standards Department of the ILO, commented: “At a time when the spirit of multilateralism and the added value of tripartism are called into question, the STC demonstrated that tripartite dialogue and multilateralism work can deliver effective solutions to global challenges.”

The new measures adopted are expected to be rubberstamped in Geneva, during the 113th Session of ILO’s International Labour Conference at the start of June, coming into force in December 2027.