Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) governs maritime labor conditions and sets minimum standards for seafarers’ working and living conditions aboard ships.

The RMI ratified the MLC, 2006 on 25 September 2007. Shipowners / operators are encouraged to review the International Labour Organization’s (ILO’s) database of countries that have ratified and implemented the MLC, 2006 to understand where it is enforceable.

The MLC, 2006 was most recently amended in 2022. These amendments are expected to enter into force on 23 December 2024. They cover seafarer welfare issues, such as:

• social connectivity, including guidance to shipowners on providing internet access (MN 7-044-1);
• ensuring that seafarers are informed of their rights prior to engagement (MN 7-045-1);
• requirements for balanced and nutritious meals (MN 7-044-1);
• disembarkation for medical care (MN 7-042-1);
• prompt repatriation, including of the deceased (MN 7-052-1); and
• providing appropriately sized personal protective equipment (MN 7-049-1).

The amendments also:

• clarified that the required certificates of financial security can be issued in the name of the registered owner if different from the shipowner; and
• require Member States to ensure seafarer fatalities are adequately investigated, recorded, and reported to the ILO.

In addition, the ILO’s Special Tripartite Committee adopted three resolutions on:

1. harassment and bullying, including sexual assault and sexual harassment;
2. contractual redress for seafarers; and
3. reviewing the financial security system to provide greater protection and assistance for abandoned seafarers.

Since entering into force on 20 August 2013, the MLC, 2006 has been amended in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2022. The RMI Maritime Administrator (the “Administrator”) has fully implemented all amendments that have entered into force.

Inspection and Certification

The Administrator’s MLC, 2006 inspection and certification program is detailed in MN 2-011-33, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 Inspection and Certification Program.

All RMI-flagged vessels covered by the MLC, 2006 are required to be inspected and certified in accordance with RMI laws and regulations. Newbuild vessels and those transferring into the RMI must undergo MLC, 2006 inspection and certification, as applicable.

RMI Documents

The Administrator has published a series of Marine Notices, Marine Guidelines, Technical Circulars, and forms related to the MLC, 2006. These publications, listed below, must be utilized to comply with the MI-107, RMI Maritime Act 1990 and MI-108, RMI Maritime Regulations that implement MLC, 2006.

Marine Notices

• MN 2-011-33, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 Inspection and Certification Program
• MN 2-023-1, Proof of Liability Insurance
• MN 7-042-1, Medical Care Aboard Ship and Ashore: Medicine Chest Requirements, Recordkeeping, Responsibilities, and Training for Medical Care
• MN 7-044-1, Accommodations, Recreational Facilities, Food, Catering, and Water*
• MN 7-045-1, Demonstrating Compliance of Seafarer Recruitment and Placement Services
• MN 7-046-1, Articles of Agreement between the Master and Seafarers in the Merchant Service of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (Shipping Articles)
• MN 7-049-1, Shipboard Occupational Health and Safety, including Hazardous Work Issues for Seafarers Under 18 Years Old
• MN 7-051-1, Payment of Wages – Account
• MN 7-051-2, Minimum Hours of Rest
• MN 7-052-1, Repatriation
• MN 7-052-2, Maximum Period of Shipboard Service for Seafarers Under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)
• MN 7-052-3, Liability Insurance for Seafarer Abandonment, Death, and Long-Term Disability
• MN 7-053-1, On Board Complaint Procedures

Marine Guidelines

• MG 7-44-1, Food Handling, Storage, and Preparation
• MG 7-44-2, Accommodations, Recreational Facilities, Food, Catering, and Water
• MG 7-45-1, Guidance on Seafarer Employment Agreements
• MG 7-47-1, Guidance on Medical Exams and Certificates for Seafarers

Technical Circulars

• RMI Technical Circular 2, Rev. 2, International Labour Organization Conventions C. 92 and C. 133 Compliance

Forms

• MSD 400A, Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance – Part I
• MSD 400B, Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance – Part II
• SICD-100, Table of Shipboard Working Arrangements
• SICD-101, Records of Hours of Rest 

Publications

RMI Annual Statistical Report

The RMI Annual Statistical Report, produced in compliance with MLC, 2006 Standard A5.1.4.13 is available upon request from the Administrator. Please submit requests to publications@register-iri.com.

ILO Publications

The following have been published by the ILO and are useful reference documents:

• Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
• Guidelines for flag State inspections under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
• Guidelines for port State control officers carrying out inspections under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006*

*These guidelines are to be amended by a correspondence group as detailed in the adopted resolution concerning ILO flag and PSC guidelines (STCMLC-2018).

Questions

The Administrator recognizes that MLC, 2006 is a learning curve for all and works closely with its owners/ operators and Recognized Organizations (ROs) who are delegated MLC, 2006 inspection and certification functions, to work through any unanticipated issues and make certain that MLC, 2006 is fully and practically implemented.

For additional information on or questions about MLC, 2006 compliance, contact: regulatoryaffairs@register-iri.com.