The European Commission has actually accepted the fostering of a proposition by its maritime social companions to enhance the working problems of seafarers aboard of EU-flagged vessels by upgrading the contract on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC), typically described as the ‘seafarers expense of civil liberties’.

The MLC 2006 collections minimal demands to enhance seafarers’ working and also living problems consisting of employment and also positioning methods, problems of work, hrs of job and also remainder, repatriation, yearly leave, repayment of salaries, lodging, leisure centers, food and also food catering, health care, work safety and security and also health and wellness, treatment, onshore well-being solutions and also social security.

The proposition, provided by “European Maritime Social Partners” the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and also the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), includes extra security to seafarers versus future situations of desertion in international ports, and also will certainly enhance their civil liberties to settlement in case of fatality or long-lasting special needs as a result of a work-related injury, disease or danger. The ILO MLC changes participated in pressure on 18 January 2017.

Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and also Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, stated: “Maritime transport remains crucial for Europe’s economic development. Today’s proposal will strengthen seafarers’ protection and underpin fair competition in the maritime sector. Improved working conditions will also make the shipping sector more attractive for young Europeans. This proposal is an excellent example of how social partners support the Commission in keeping EU law fit for purpose.”

The European Maritime Social Partners comfortably invited the EC’s fostering of the proposition.

ETF representative Mark Dickinson, stated, “It is important that ECSA and ETF are able to keep their European agreement on the MLC up to date as we must not forget this Convention is a living instrument for the continued improvement of seafarers’ living and working conditions. We are therefore very pleased that the Commission has supported us in our aims by adopting our proposals for amending the Agreement on the MLC to incorporate the amendments made by the ILO in 2014. We hope that they will be similarly adopted by the Council with the minimum delay.”

This is the 3rd celebration on which the maritime Social Partners have actually accepted make legally-binding European contracts. The initially was the Agreement on Working Time for Seafarers and also the 2nd the contract on the MLC. “We are proud of what we have achieved through the maritime social dialogue. Our constructive relations and co-operation have resulted in numerous joint projects and campaigns to assist shipowners and seafarers in Europe. We have also agreed an ambitious work programme for the next biennium” ECSA’s representative, Tim Springett stated.