Analysis of impact of the maritime labour convention, 2006: A seafarer’s perspective

Abstract

The primary objective of the article is to analyse the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 and bring into light, a few of the problems faced by the seafarers. Before the intervention of the MLC 2006, a lack of a relevant body to uphold labour rights and standards in the shipping industry was undeniably observed, the MLC convention, through its regulations, has prescribed a firm set of guidelines for the intensely globalized shipping sector, with some exemptions, of course. The article provides a brief overview of the convention and, shipping industry and the crew that runs it. A few loopholes or favouring circumstances that are being used by shipping companies and flag states to reduce the burden of implementing some clauses of the convention are identified. Data from various published sources are collected along with personal experience and views to gain an overview of how the implementation of MLC 2006 has affected the seafarers. A brief review of the predicaments faced by the seafarers in this industry is also covered and concludes on the statement that although adoption of MLC 2006 is a historic achievement, without the proper implementation it won’t take long for the convention’s reputation to go downhill.