What is the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006)?
The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) is an international convention developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) that establishes minimum standards for the working and living conditions of seafarers on ships. It is often referred to as the “Bill of Rights for Seafarers.”
What does the MLC 2006 cover?
Minimum Standards
The MLC 2006 establishes minimum requirements for the employment, welfare, and living conditions of seafarers.
- Employment agreements and wages
- Working hours and rest periods
- Accommodation and onboard living conditions
- Food and catering
- Medical care
- Health and safety
- Repatriation
- Financial protection in cases of abandonment
- Recruitment and placement
- Onboard complaint procedures
Enforcement
Port state control authorities inspect ships for MLC compliance and certification and can detain vessels that fail to meet requirements.
MLC 2006 includes requirements relating to:
- Crew abandonment and repatriation
- Outstanding wages and essential living expenses
- Death and long-term disability compensation
- Financial security arrangements and supporting documentation.
MLC 2006 & Yacht Crew Insurance: What Yacht Owners and Crew Need to Know
The MLC 2006 is an international standard designed to protect the rights and welfare of seafarers — with important implications for yacht owners, managers, and crew.
One area that deserves particular attention is financial security for crew.
The MLC 2006 requires shipowners to have financial security arrangements in place to protect crew members in certain circumstances, including abandonment and repatriation. Financial security may also be required for compensation related to death or long-term disability resulting from an occupational injury, illness, or hazard.
Crew insurance can play an important role in meeting these financial security requirements, depending on the coverage provided and the requirements of the yacht’s flag state.
For yacht owners and managers, it is therefore important to ensure that their crew insurance and other financial security arrangements are appropriate for the yacht, its flag, crew, and operational profile. MLC compliance isn’t simply about having the right paperwork on board. It is also about ensuring that appropriate financial protection is in place for the yacht, its crew, flag, and operational profile.
European Implementation and EU Law
EU Directives:
While the European Union is not itself a party to the MLC 2006, it strongly supports the convention and has incorporated many of its standards into EU law through key directives.
With yacht crew being one of the most important assets onboard, having the right protection provides reassurance for owners, managers, and crew alike.
Contact an Insurance Expert
At SYIG, we help yacht owners and managers understand their crew insurance requirements and arrange appropriate protection for the realities of modern yacht operations.