International labour standards
Ghana ratifies the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)
With the ratification by Ghana, 44 ILO Member States representing nearly 75 per cent of the world’s global shipping tonnage have now committed themselves to the decent work standards of the Convention.
The MLC, 2006, which enters into force today, is the fourth pillar of the international maritime legal regime complementing key Conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), setting international standards for training and certification of seafarers, ship safety and security, and the prevention of ship source pollution.
Ghana has under its flag approximately 226 registered vessels totalling 124,269 gross tons. The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) was presented this year with a Global Quality Achievement Award in the Gold Category by the European Society for Quality Research for quality improvement techniques, recognition and research, an achievement which aligns with the recently-established 17 million Euro vessel traffic and information systems facility. In addition, with aims to ensure the engagement and welfare of Ghanaian seafarers, and in support of the Government’s Youth Employment Programme, the GMA has initiated a Seafarer Employment Programme designed to promote the employment of Ghanaian seafarers onboard ships.
In receiving the instrument of ratification, Ms. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, the Director of the International Labour Standards Department, stated: "I welcome the ratification by Ghana of the MLC, 2006, which I hope will boost the Youth Employment Programme in Ghana which has targeted the Ghanaian seafaring industry as a potential source of generating jobs for youth and would elevate the position of its seafarers in the international labour market."
The MLC, 2006 enters into force today for the first 30 ratifying countries (the 30 countries that had a registered ratification on 20 August 2012). For countries that have registered their ratification after 20 August 2012, the MLC, 2006 will enter into force 12 months after their ratification. Ratification by countries representing at least 30 ILO Member States, and at least 33 per cent of the world’s total gross global tonnage of shipping, were required for the Convention to come into force.
For more information, please visit the dedicated MLC webpage.
Ghana has under its flag approximately 226 registered vessels totalling 124,269 gross tons. The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) was presented this year with a Global Quality Achievement Award in the Gold Category by the European Society for Quality Research for quality improvement techniques, recognition and research, an achievement which aligns with the recently-established 17 million Euro vessel traffic and information systems facility. In addition, with aims to ensure the engagement and welfare of Ghanaian seafarers, and in support of the Government’s Youth Employment Programme, the GMA has initiated a Seafarer Employment Programme designed to promote the employment of Ghanaian seafarers onboard ships.
In receiving the instrument of ratification, Ms. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, the Director of the International Labour Standards Department, stated: "I welcome the ratification by Ghana of the MLC, 2006, which I hope will boost the Youth Employment Programme in Ghana which has targeted the Ghanaian seafaring industry as a potential source of generating jobs for youth and would elevate the position of its seafarers in the international labour market."
The MLC, 2006 enters into force today for the first 30 ratifying countries (the 30 countries that had a registered ratification on 20 August 2012). For countries that have registered their ratification after 20 August 2012, the MLC, 2006 will enter into force 12 months after their ratification. Ratification by countries representing at least 30 ILO Member States, and at least 33 per cent of the world’s total gross global tonnage of shipping, were required for the Convention to come into force.
For more information, please visit the dedicated MLC webpage.