Shipowners get passing grade on labor convention compliance

JUNE 8, 2017 — A port state control inspection campaign on compliance with the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) 2006 has produced a satisfactory overall result, according to Richard Schiferli, Secretary General of the Paris MOU on Port State Control.

Port State Control Officers in the Paris MoU region carried out the Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) between September 1 and November 30, 2016. The aim was to verify that the minimum standards for working and living conditions were being implemented on board and to thereby creating more awareness.

A total of 3,674 questionnaires for the CIC were completed during regular inspections. The campaign resulted in 42 detentions (1.1%) directly linked to the MLC, 2006 requirements.

Positive results were recorded on certificates attesting medical fitness (98.2%), the verification of records of the inspections of accommodations (98%), food and catering (97.4%), and whether a safety committee had been established (99.1%).

The Paris MOU Secretariat says “Less positive results on non-compliance were recorded on Seafarers Employment Agreements not being compliant with minimum standards (6.5%) and the availability of the onboard complaint procedure (5%).”

Most of the 3,674 ships inspected during the CIC were general cargo/multi-purpose ships, with1,062 (28.9%) inspections and bulk carriers with 789 (21.5%) inspections.

Most of the 3,674 CIC inspections carried out on board ships were flying the flags of Panama with 433 (11.8%) inspections, Malta with 328 (8.9%) inspections and Liberia with 314 (8.5%) inspections.