Labour standards
Lithuania ratifies the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)
With the ratification by Lithuania, 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, which comes into force today.
Lithuania is the 45th ILO Member State to have its ratification registered and the 18th European Union member state to have ratified the MLC, 2006.
The MLC, 2006 becomes 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. As the MLC, 2006 enters into force today, ensuring decent working and living conditions for the world’s seafarers becomes a key indicator of a quality ship owner.
Lithuania has 96 registered vessels totalling 407,000 gross tons under its flag. Its Klaipeda Port, a major ice-free port in the northernmost Europe, creates excellent transit possibilities between the East and the West. The capacities of Klaipeda Port to handle cargo have increased over the past years. It welcomes vessels from many world countries and makes Lithuania a crossroad of cargo flows.
The Lithuanian Maritime Academy (LMA), a state institution of higher education training for highly qualified seafarers and other specialists of the industry, actively participates in international and projects activities since 2000. It cooperates with maritime education and training (MET) institutions in Lithuania and other countries. Lithuania’s marine business is also characterized by its fishery industry, a sector that contributes significantly to the economic development of the Baltic region.
In transmitting the instrument of ratification, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of the Republic of Lithuiania, His Excellency Mr. Rytis Paulauskas, stated: “Lithuania has ratified this Convention considering its important role in promoting safe and healthy working conditions for all seafarers.“ The Ambassador emphasized that his country viewed this ratification as a key step to signalling the importance of respect for all seafarers‘ rights, including the many Lithuanian seafarers flying under other flags. „Being a bill of seafarers’ rights it is an essential instrument for the maritime states. We have to admit that there is a lot of work ahead in order to properly implement this comprehensive document. Not only state institutions but ship owners play a crucial role here”
In welcoming the ratification of the MLC, 2006 by Lithuania, Mr Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General, stated: “Today, as the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 enters into force, I have the pleasure to welcome yet another Member State of the European Union among the States parties to the MLC, 2006. As a key player in the maritime and fishing industry in the Baltic region, the ratification by Lithuania on this meaningful day in maritime history reaffirms the significant role of this Convention and the importance of reliable and efficient shipping that is backed by decent working and living conditions for seafarers. The momentum and support behind the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 has been incredible, and I am positive that what we witness today is merely the beginning.”
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.
The MLC, 2006 becomes 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. As the MLC, 2006 enters into force today, ensuring decent working and living conditions for the world’s seafarers becomes a key indicator of a quality ship owner.
Lithuania has 96 registered vessels totalling 407,000 gross tons under its flag. Its Klaipeda Port, a major ice-free port in the northernmost Europe, creates excellent transit possibilities between the East and the West. The capacities of Klaipeda Port to handle cargo have increased over the past years. It welcomes vessels from many world countries and makes Lithuania a crossroad of cargo flows.
The Lithuanian Maritime Academy (LMA), a state institution of higher education training for highly qualified seafarers and other specialists of the industry, actively participates in international and projects activities since 2000. It cooperates with maritime education and training (MET) institutions in Lithuania and other countries. Lithuania’s marine business is also characterized by its fishery industry, a sector that contributes significantly to the economic development of the Baltic region.
In transmitting the instrument of ratification, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of the Republic of Lithuiania, His Excellency Mr. Rytis Paulauskas, stated: “Lithuania has ratified this Convention considering its important role in promoting safe and healthy working conditions for all seafarers.“ The Ambassador emphasized that his country viewed this ratification as a key step to signalling the importance of respect for all seafarers‘ rights, including the many Lithuanian seafarers flying under other flags. „Being a bill of seafarers’ rights it is an essential instrument for the maritime states. We have to admit that there is a lot of work ahead in order to properly implement this comprehensive document. Not only state institutions but ship owners play a crucial role here”
In welcoming the ratification of the MLC, 2006 by Lithuania, Mr Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General, stated: “Today, as the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 enters into force, I have the pleasure to welcome yet another Member State of the European Union among the States parties to the MLC, 2006. As a key player in the maritime and fishing industry in the Baltic region, the ratification by Lithuania on this meaningful day in maritime history reaffirms the significant role of this Convention and the importance of reliable and efficient shipping that is backed by decent working and living conditions for seafarers. The momentum and support behind the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 has been incredible, and I am positive that what we witness today is merely the beginning.”
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.