At periodic intervals the International Labour Organization holds an extra session of its general Conference, devoted to the maritime sector, to address problems specific to work in that sector. The 94th Maritime Session of the International Labour Conference will be held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, from 7 to 23 February 2006.

Delegates will undertake the unprecedented task of examining, with the view to its adoption, a comprehensive international labour Convention to consolidate almost all ILO maritime labour Conventions and Recommendations currently in force – over 60 texts – and set out the conditions for decent work in the increasingly globalized maritime sector.

The aim of the consolidation is to bring the system of protection contained in existing standards closer to the workers and make them more relevant to contemporary working and living conditions on boards ships. It is also to improve the applicability of the system for shipowners and governments in providing decent conditions of work as well as to enforce ship safety and security and environmental protection.

The proposed labour maritime Convention sets out requirements on all essential subject matters - conditions of employment, accommodation, food and catering, health protection, medical care, etc. Provisions on health and safety protection and accident prevention are addressed and includes current concerns, such as effects of noise and vibration on workers and problems arising from physical stress and mental fatigue. On-board programmes for the prevention of occupational accidents and recording of occupational injuries and diseases are examples of general measures that are developped. In addition, important issues relating to flag state inspections and inspections in foreign ports, in consistancy with other international maritime regulations, are layed down.

In order to provide a quick presentation of the proposed maritime labour Convention, the Office has prepared a series of frequently asked questions. The proposed consolidated maritime labour Convention as well as other documents and reports prepared for the Maritme Session are also available for consultation. Besides, CIS has compiled a list of ILO publications available online that deals with occupational safety and health issues associated with the maritime industry. It includes material on accident prevention and working conditions of seafarers, fisheries and port workers. Publications are listed below and can be accessed by clicking on the corresponding titles.