Ship and crew managers have welcomed the ratification of the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 which is set to protect the rights of millions of seafarers when it comes into force in August next year.
“Establishing minimum standards for the working conditions of the world’s seafarers is essential in ensuring best practice across our industry, especially at a time when recruitment is at a low level and the industry is struggling to attract young people,” said Alastair Evitt, President of InterManager, the international trade association for the ship and crew management industry whose members represent almost 250,000 seafarers. “Valuing our seafarers is a first step in attracting new recruits to our industry,” he said.
He vowed that InterManager members, who already adhere to the association’s Code of Conduct and cadet berth policy, would lead the way in complying with MLC 2006 on their vessels.