Steve Cotton Acting General Secretary, International Transport Workers' Federation  (ITF)

"The importance of the MLC to seafarers is undeniable. For the first time it provides a bill of rights for workers at sea – including those on cruise ships – and 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. It has been a hard-won victory to reach this coming into force. After it the same coalition of the ILO, unions, maritime organizations and governments will have to continue to work together to build on and support the convention, and to make sure that as many countries as possible ratify this landmark piece of legislation".

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

“The convention is hugely important. We and our fellow trade unions are committed to making all necessary efforts to help it achieve the success it deserves. For us that includes the continuing quest for more ratifications. My own union has been working with the US Coast Guard, the Department of Labor and our social partners (shipowners) to bring this forward and hope to have the US Senate vote on ratification before the year’s end. We owe it to the world’s seafarers and look forward to a speedy ratification and an effective enforcement policy - and the ratification of many more nations that will give the convention the power it merits and give seafarers everywhere the protection and recognition they deserve”.

Paddy Crumlin National secretary, Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)

“The MLC represents a significant leap forward in the global trade union campaign to improve the labour rights and labour standards of seafarers, and as such consolidates the rights of seafarers to a safe and secure workplace, fair terms of employment, decent living and working conditions, social protection such as access to medical care, health protection and welfare, and, importantly, freedom of association. For nations in the Asia Pacific region, which supplies the majority of the world’s seafarers and where the bulk of global sea trade is concentrated, the MLC will underpin new seafarer employment opportunities, it will bolster the establishment of an Australian International Shipping Register (AISR) and it is a key plank in the global shipping regulatory framework designed to secure the future of a high quality and competitive shipping industry”.

Dr. Conrado F.Oca President, Associated Marine Officers’ & Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP-PTGWO)

“After the Maritime Labour Convention was adopted in 2006, it became highly important for member states in the Asia Pacific region to ratify the Convention and ensure its immediate entry into force considering the hundreds of thousands of seafarers from the region and extent of Asia-Pacific maritime activities. Beyond achieving a universal bill of rights for seafarers, the entry into force of MLC 2006 creates a more viable environment that should be conducive to maritime connectivity and capacity building that should enhance the quality of maritime employment in this important region. With the strict enforcement of decent working conditions for seafarers, including maritime cadets undergoing training, the MLC will be able to promote a more socially responsible shipping industry all over the region where many of the busiest sea lanes and sea ports can be found. We anticipate that in creating a level playing field through enforcement of MLC 2006, sub-standard shipping in the region will be marginalized with improvement in the quality of Asia-Pacific domestic shipping, particularly in the areas of maritime safety, security and protection of the marine environment”.

John Halas General Secretary, Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (Greece)

“It is beyond any reasonable doubt that the adoption of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) is a positive development in regulating the highly unregulated world shipping industry. It should be underlined, however, that the minimum standards set by the MLC should not become maximum standards. In addition, Port State Control Officers, in verifying MLC compliance, should check whether the social provisions of the Convention are fully complied with. It goes without saying that ILO Member States are duty bound to fully respect and apply the provisions of Article 19 (8) of the ILO Constitution on the effect of Conventions and Recommendations on more favorable existing provisions which states “In no case shall the adoption of any Convention or Recommendation by the Conference, or the ratification of any Convention by any Member, be deemed to affect any law, award, custom or agreement which ensures more favorable".

Lucien Harinony Razafindraibe General Secretary, General Maritime Union of Madagascar (SYGMMA)

"Entry into force of the Maritime Labour Convention of the ILO, clearly puts forth the distinct role of the employer and recruitment services. And as you know, Africa is often the victim of various forms of exploitation. With this Convention, it is illegal for recruitment services to ask for money in exchange for placement of a vessel. It's fraud and this Convention constitutes a defense tool for our sailors often victims of such conduct".

Bilal Malkawi ITF Arab World representative

“The MLC's coming into force is a victory for all those involved, including the ILO, unions, shipping organizations and governments. It genuinely shows what the tripartite approach can achieve. It has the potential to usher in a historical era where seafarers and shipowners can have access to an ILO convention which regulates the relations between them, and provides an excellent opportunity to take this industry forward. The challenge now is to ensure that it is fully supported and that as many countries as possible ratify it. If that is done then we believe it can make significant changes to the lives of seafarers in the Arab World and beyond”.