Seafarers designated key workers in key MLC amendments
The amendments were made during a meeting at the International Labour Organization’s headquarters in Geneva
Other changes included measures to ensure visa-free shore leave and seafarers’ right to complain in cases of harassment or bullying
SEAFARERS will be designated as key workers in an amendment made to the Maritime Labour Convention.
The amendment was made during a meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee at the International Labour Organization’s Geneva headquarters. The STC brings together representatives of government, shipowners and seafarers.
The MLC text has been updated with a guideline that “each member should designate and recognise seafarers as key workers and take appropriate measures to facilitate their safe movement when travelling in connection with their employment or work, including, but not limited to, access to shore leave, repatriation, crew changes and medical care ashore.”
Seafarers’ Rights International chief executive Deidre Fitzpatrick, said the amendment was a “very significant win”.
“SRI has long advocated for seafarers to be designated as key workers and in the end it was a tribute to tripartism that an amendment could be achieved. States now must meaningfully implement and enforce this historic amendment.”
Danish Shipping director of labour market Anne Trolle said “Covid taught us a lot”, referring to the role seafarers played to keep the world supplied while others stopped work.
“It actually means something that seafarers are now recognised as key workers, even if the reference is inserted in a guideline in the MLC,” she said. “That recognition may not look that great on paper but for the seafarers it makes a big difference.”
Alongside the key worker designation was an amendment designed to ensure access to shore leave. The new guideline says shore leave should be allowed “in a manner which excludes discrimination on any grounds and irrespective of the flag state of the ship on which seafarers are employed, engaged or work”, as well as stressing that seafarers should not require a visa for the purpose of shore leave.
A further amendment said flag states should ensure onboard complaint procedures are in place and safeguards to ensure seafarers that complain are not victimised.
“The term ‘victimisation’ covers any adverse action taken by any person with respect to complainants, victims, witnesses and whistleblowers,” the amendment said.
“Due regard shall be given to situations where a complaint is manifestly vexatious or maliciously made.”
