Amendments of 2016 to the Code of the MLC,2006 (enter into force on 8-January-2019)

Amendments of 2016 to the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) were approved by the delegates at the 105th annual meeting of the International Labour Conference overwhelmingly voted in favour of further amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, in order to better protect seafarers against shipboard harassment and bullying and to allow for an extension of the validity of full term maritime labour certificates.

Guideline B4.3.1 – Provisions on occupational accidents, injuries and diseases will be amended at paragraph 1 to refer to the latest version of the Guidance on eliminating shipboard harassment and bullying and at paragraph 4 with the addition of a new subparagraph (d) harassment and bullying.

Guideline B4.3.6 – Investigations will be amended to include a new subparagraph (g) problems arising from harassment and bullying.

Standard A5.1.3 Maritime Labour Certificates (MLC) and Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) will be amended to allow for the extension of the validity of the full-term maritime labour certificate in circumstances where ships have passed the renewal inspection but where a new full-term maritime labour certificate cannot be immediately issued and made available on board. The competent authority or the recognized organization duly authorized for this purpose, may extend the validity of the full-term maritime labour certificate for a period of five (5) months from the expiry date of the existing full-term certificate and endorse -on board- the full-term certificate accordingly.

The amendments were agreed at the second meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee on 10 February 2016. It is expected that these amendments will enter into force on 8 January 2019.

Shipowners and ship managers are advised to review their management systems to ensure they include procedures for the elimination of harassment and bullying on board ship.