(VEN) – The International Labor Organization (ILO)’s Maritime Labor Convention 2006 (MLC) officially took effect on August 20, contributing to ensuring sustainable work for seafarers and fair competition between ship-owners.
The Maritime Labor Convention 2006 (MLC) officially takes effect
Vietnam was the 37th country to approve the MLC in May 2013. According to the Vietnam Maritime Administration, Vietnam had awarded certificates to about 32,000 seafarers. Of which, 27,000 seafarers are currently working in domestic and foreign vessels. In addition, Vietnamese vessels have met one-tenths of total volume of exported goods.
ILO Country Office for Vietnam Director Gyorgy Sziraczki congratulated the Vietnamese government on the occasion of this event. He also said, “Vietnam has made remarkable efforts in improving the quality of its vessels and strongly implemented a commitment to protect seafarers. The ILO will accompany Vietnam, contributing to improving capacity and supporting techniques to put the convention into practice.”
The world currently has about 1.5 million seafarers. The implementation of the MLC contributes to promoting minimum international standards in order to ensure sustainable work for seafarers and fair competition between ship-owners. In addition, the implementation of the MLC also contributes to promote competition in order to ensure efficiency and improve the reliability of maritime transport. The overall objective of the convention is to ensure working conditions and fair competition.
The ILO representative said that for the MLC 2006 take effect, the convention required the participation of at least 30 ILO members, accounting for more than 33 percent of total volume of goods transported through waterway. As of date, more than 45 countries have approved the MLC.
| On July 25, 2013, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved a plan to implement the MLC 2006. The prime minister asked associations and organizations to complete a law on maritime labor; examine and grant certificates for Vietnamese vessels and adopt a tripartite consultation mechanism with the participation of the government, ship-owners and seafarers within this year. In addition, investing in the development of infrastructure in seaports should be completed by 2020. |
The MLC 2006 was welcomed by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Shipping Federation (ISF). The two federations played an important role to bring this convention to an ILO’s conference in 2006.
According to ILO International Labor Standards Department Director Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, putting the MLC 2006 into force was a notable event in the history of international maritime law. The most important task now was to turn this legal framework into the law to protect seafarers and ship-owners. The ILO will work with governments, associations and organizations to complete the overall objective of the convention./.
By Phuong Tam
Đăng ký: VietNam News