Seafarer rights: First Gulf state to ratify key maritime labour convention
MUSCAT, APRIL 2
The International Labour Organisation (ILO), a specialised agency of the United Nations, has announced that it has received the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006) by the Sultanate of Oman, which became the 100th Member State of the ILO to have ratified the Convention.
Significantly, the Sultanate of Oman is the first Gulf country to commit to this landmark instrument, the ILO said in a press statement.
“The strategic geographical location of Oman has enabled it to become a business and logistics hub for maritime traffic for Europe, Asia and Africa. The ratification of the MLC, 2006 by Oman is expected to enhance the protection of working and living conditions of seafarers not only in the country but also in the region,” it stated.
Last October, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik issued Royal Decree 62/2021 ratifying Oman’s joining the Maritime Labour Convention 2006. The MLC, 2006 is a comprehensive international employment Convention, adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in February 2006. It contains seafarers’ rights to decent conditions of work while creating conditions of fair competition for shipowners.
According to the ILO, an official ceremony with the Government of Oman, the ILO Director-General and the Secretaries – General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) will be held on April 11 to mark the 100th ratification of the MLC, 2006.
In 2019, the International Labour Office launched a global campaign, in cooperation with ICS and ITF, aimed at reaching 100 ratifications of the Convention to celebrate the Centenary of the ILO.
Referring to the success of the campaign, the ITF Seafarers’ and Inland Navigation Section Coordinator welcomed the 100 ratifications milestone. “This achievement must remind all of us that only through continuous dialogue between stakeholders, effective implementation and updating, the MLC, 2006 will remain relevant and increase its appeal for further ratifications,” the official added.
According to the Director of Employment Affairs of ICS, the MLC, 2006 provides a globalised approach to workplace standards for seafarers to ensure better implementation and enforcement.
“If universally applied, the Convention will provide a level playing field across the world. This 100th ratification demonstrates the commitment of countries to decent working and living standards on board and comes at a time during the Covid-19 pandemic when everyone must work together to ensure that seafarers rights are honoured. The ICS continues to encourage further ratifications to ensure commitment on a global basis for a safe and pleasant working environment for all,” the official stated.
The MLC, 2006 will enter into force for the Sultanate of Oman on March 29, 2023, one year after its ratification.
