As of 23 December 2024, significant changes to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) have come into effect. These amendments aim to further strengthen the rights of seafarers and clarify the obligations of employers and flag states to ensure a safer, fairer, and more secure working environment. Below is an overview of the most important changes.
- Recruitment and Placement: Seafarers will have access to an efficient and well-regulated recruitment and placement system to find employment on board ships. It will no longer be permitted to charge recruitment fees to seafarers. Additionally, seafarers must be compensated for financial losses incurred due to the failure of a recruitment and placement service or a shipowner’s non-compliance with obligations under the employment agreement. Furthermore, seafarers must now be informed, before or during the employment agreement, about their right to compensation for financial losses resulting from such failures.
- Repatriation: A new provision requires member states to facilitate the immediate repatriation of seafarers. In the past, situations occurred where repatriation efforts were obstructed by local authorities refusing to allow seafarers to leave the ship due to national legislation requiring crew presence on board. This amendment highlights the role of port states, flag states, and labour-supplying states in ensuring prompt repatriation and safeguarding the rights of replacement crew members.
- Accommodation and Recreational Facilities: Where feasible, shipowners must provide internet access on board their ships to promote mental well-being through social connectivity. Any associated costs must be reasonable. States are also required to ensure similar facilities for seafarers on ships in their ports and/or anchorages.
- Food and Catering: Onboard ships, drinking water of good quality and balanced meals must be made available. The existing requirement to provide food consistent with the number of seafarers, the voyage duration, and religious requirements has been expanded. It is now explicitly stated that food must meet standards of quantity, nutritional value, quality, and variety and must be provided free of charge throughout the assignment period.
- Health Protection, Safety, and Accident Prevention: Seafarers must be provided with personal protective equipment in appropriate sizes. This amendment has been introduced in part due to the increasing number of female seafarers. Additionally, member states must annually record and report seafarer deaths to the International Labour Organization. These statistics will be published in a global registry.
For questions or assistance regarding these changes, our members can contact us at claims@nnpc.nl.
