Maritime Labour Convention enters into force, Cyprus among first

The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 enters into force on Tuesday, as it has been ratified by the largest shipping nations, including Cyprus, which, according to an announcement from the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, is one of the first countries to have ratified the Convention.

The Convention adopts standards governing the overall maritime labour relating to the minimum requirements, which regulate issues pertaining to the conditions and terms of employment, with special emphasis on young people, accommodation and catering, welfare and social security, and medical care and health protection of seafarers. The Convention is designed to ensure the widest possible acceptance and consensus among seafarers, shipowners and governments, so that there is a substantial commitment to the principles of decent working conditions of seafarers on board ships and their fundamental rights. The Convention will enable Cyprus to effectively exercise control over ships that fly its flag for ensuring compliance with the requirements of the

Convention, including regular inspections, reporting, and legal proceedings under the applicable law, as well as, ensure that ships that fly its flag carry a “Maritime Labour Certificate” and a “Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance” as required by the Convention.

The Shipping Chamber, as the official representative of the Cyprus Shipping Industry, actively participated in the drafting of the final text of the Convention as this was adopted in 2006 by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and cooperated very closely with the Cyprus Maritime Administration and especially with the Department of Merchant Shipping, to ratify the Convention and its transfer into Cyprus legislation.