Maritime Labour Convention

It will bring standards up globally and should help to support the employment and training of EU seafarers. Therefore, it was important that the Union adopts a regulatory framework to ensure its proper implementation."

Siim Kallas, European Commission Vice-President responsible for transport

It is a true watershed in international shipping, which adds the pillar of workers’ rights to existing standards of safety, security and crew standards."

Paddy Crumlin, Pdt of International Transport Workers'Federation (ITF)

The Convention represents the ‘fourth pillar’ of maritime regulation covering international shipping, which transports more than 90% of world trade, and on which we all rely."

Dr. Rosalie Balkin, International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The Convention will apply a level playing field for standards of employment and working conditions on board the ship and we should see it starting to make a difference in the coming months."

Peter Hinchliffe, International Chamber of Shipping

The Convention is not about paperwork but about people and their working and living environment on board."

Richard W.J. Schiferli, Paris MoU on Port State Control

The main advantage will be to harmonize procedures for safeguarding seafarers aboard all kinds of ships, whatever flag they fly."

Captain Luigi Giardino, Harbour Master

We now have a bill of rights for seafarers – including those on international cruise ships – that sets out the right to a safe and secure workplace; fair terms of employment; decent living and working conditions; access to medical care, health protection and welfare, and to freedom of association."

Stephen Cotton, International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)

Shipowners do like regulation and the reason we like regulation is because it brings a level playing field."

Arthur Bowring, Managing Director Hong Kong Shipowners Association

Probably the most important maritime instrument in a long time."

Haakon Storhaug, Senior Advisor Norwegian Maritime Directorate

In part of the world we are well covered with the laws, in other parts of the world we are not so well covered. If I don’t have the laws support, I cannot do anything."

Misha Z, Romanian Seafarer

The Convention gives the ability to put forward claims that protect the seafarers."

David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer Seafarers International Union of North America