Page 250 - Demo

Twenty years of the MLC, 2006A milestone worth marking, but not a reason to slow downby Nikolaos Koletsis, Senior Policy Officerfor Maritime Transportat the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF)This year marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006%u2014a moment that transformed the landscape of maritime regulation and helped elevate seafarers%u2019 rights and protections to a global legal standard. As the %u201cfourth pillar%u201d of the international maritime regulatory system, alongside SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW, the MLC consolidated dozens of fragmented labour instruments into one comprehensive framework. Its ambition was clear: establish minimum working and living standards for seafarers worldwide.As recent global disruptions %u2014 from pandemics to geopolitical tensions and supply chain shocks %u2014 have demonstrated, it is precisely during such periods that the protective framework of the MLC assumes its greatest importance. In moments when seafarers face prolonged contracts, restricted shore leave, fatigue, and uncertainty, the Convention serves as a crucial safeguard, ensuring that fundamental labour standards are not treated as optional but as essential obligations.But as we mark two decades since its adoption, one fundamental truth must remain front and centre: The MLC is a minimum-standards treaty, i.e., a floor, not a ceiling. The Convention has made a profound difference, yet significant gaps remain, and the lived experiences of too many seafarers still fall short of what a modern, safe, and humane maritime industry should guarantee.A Convention that changed the global landscapeIn its 20 years, the MLC has delivered clear, concrete improvements for seafarers. While implementation varies, several gains stand out:%u2022 Recognising seafarers as key workers, marking a major step forward in seafarers%u2019 rights. This new status seeks to ensure that seafarers receive better protection, easier access to medical care and travel, and stronger support at all times.%u2022 Improved protection for shore leave, which has long been a point of tension between security procedures and crew welfare.%u2022 Clearer and stronger repatriation rights, preventing abandonment and ensuring seafarers are not stranded without support.%u2022 Enhanced protection against Seafarers under the spotlight246 NX