Workshop on Maritime Labour Convention 2006 for ITF Affiliates

The MLC, 2006 is a particularly relevant and powerful tool for the ITF Affiliates and inspectors within their national unions in ensuring that the provisions of the MLC, 2006 are effectively implemented and that its benefits for seafarers are maximized. OBJECTIVES The online course aimed to strengthen the capacity of the ITF Affiliates to use the ILO MLC, 2006, with a view to providing effective support to all parties interested in seafarers’ working conditions. In perspective, through the acquired knowledge and tools ITF Affiliates staff were be able to : • play an important role in the MLC, 2006 complaints procedures, • provide assistance and support to seafarers on their rights under the MLC, 2006, • provide guidance to PSC inspectors, Flag State inspectors or ROs on enforcement and compliance procedures, • assist National Administrations in reporting on the effective implementation of the MLC, 2006. CONTENT The course covered the main contents of the MLC, 2006 and the Guidelines on Flag State inspection and Port State control. More specifically, it covered the following main topics: • Overview of the contents of the MLC, 2006 including key concepts - scope, flexibility, principles (seafarers’ rights), structure, enforcement and compliance. • Seafarers’ specific rights: employment agreements, repatriation, wages, hours of work/rest, entitlement to leave, repatriation, accommodation food & catering, access to medical care, occupational safety and health and impact COVID- 19. • Introduction to PSCO and flag State inspection and the relationship between ITF inspectors and others in the context of the MLC, 2006 including the MLC, 2006 complaint procedures. • ITF Affiliates and inspectors role in improving seafarers’ rights through implementation of the MLC, 2006. ACHIEVEMENT The training methodology was based on two main features: ▪ “self guided ” component, in which participants were provided with theoretical and practical knowledge concerning the MLC, 2006 and its application. This component included interactive exercises: participants were expected to work in groups. ▪ Live Webinars focussing on specific thematic areas, with the participation of international experts. a) the E –Library, b) the thematic live Webinars that took place on ZOOM platform.