GENEVA (ILO News) – The Director of the International Labour Standards Department, Ms Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, received today the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) from Ms Memouna Kora Zaki Leadi, Minister of Labour and Public Administration of Benin. Benin is the second African country, after Liberia, to ratify the landmark Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.

In submitting the instrument of ratification, Ms Kora Zaki Leadi stated: “Benin is pleased and honoured to be able to respond favourably to the ratification campaign letter sent by the ILO Director-General and present its instrument of ratification of the MLC, 2006 during the historic 100^th Session of the International Labour Conference. It is my hope that this ratification will give a boost to the maritime sector in my country and help create jobs for seafarers. Benin is convinced of the significance of this Convention for millions of seafarers worldwide and fully supports global efforts for its rapid entry into force.”

In receiving the instrument of ratification, Ms Doumbia-Henry stated: “The ratification by Benin of the MLC, 2006 is a telling reminder of Benin’s commitment to international labour standards, and of its wish to take a leading role in the ratification and implementation process of this important instrument, ensuring decent working and living conditions for all seafarers worldwide. Benin, with its port activity at Cotonou, is a gateway to landlocked West African countries and has the potential to become a major labour supplying country for the maritime industry. Benin becomes the third African country to ratify the MLC, 2006 which also sends a strong message that the ratification process is well engaged and progressively expanding in the African continent.”

With the ratification by Benin of the MLC, 2006, 13 ILO member States have now ratified this important Convention, which sets out minimum standards and fair working conditions for seafarers worldwide. While the first requirement for entry into force of the Convention – coverage of 33 per cent of the world gross tonnage – has already been attained, Benin’s ratification is an important step towards achieving the second requirement: 30 ratifying countries. It is expected that the additional 17 ratifications will be obtained before the end of 2011, indicating that the MLC, 2006 will enter into force in 2012.

The last ILO Convention to have been ratified by Benin was the Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976 (No.147) in 2010. The ratification of the MLC, 2006, brings to 28 the total number of ILO Conventions ratified by Benin.