Alumni Webinar - Covid-19 and Labour: Revisiting the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

The Covid-19 pandemic is acting as a magnifier and intensifier of existing socio-economic problems that in maritime employment found a legal answer in the International Labour Organization´s Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 as amended (MLC, 2006). This fourth pillar of the international regulatory regime for quality shipping provides for minimum labour standards to be implemented and enforced by all countries in order to ensure a level playing field. While setting out a clear allocation of responsibilities for flag States, port States and labour-supplying countries, the MLC, 2006 is a living instrument which can be amended by a facilitated amendment procedure under the Convention, thereby enabling it to be kept to date in response to development of any type.

The webinar seeks to provide insights to participants concerning seafarers´ rights embedded in the MLC, 2006, such as those related to their conditions of employment and occupational safety and health (OSH). Compliance with seafarers´ rights is key to their welfare and well-being and the MLC, 2006 requires the establishment of OSH programmes on board ships to address inter alia mental health aspects. Regrettably, compliance and enforcement of these rights are still an issue that the Covid-19 crisis has laid bare. However, the pandemic could act as a catalyst for change with respect to mental health protection and education programmes among other initiatives to effectively promote OSH onboard.

Moderator:
Dr. Max Mejia, Director of PhD Programme, Associate Academic Dean, Professor of Maritime Law and Policy, World Maritime University

Panellists:
Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of World Maritime University
Dr. Laura Carballo Pineiro, Professor, Nippon Foundation Chair of Maritime Labour Law and Policy, Head of the Maritime Law and Policy Specialization, World Maritime University
Dr. Maria Carrera Arce, Research Associate, World Maritime University


This webinar is open to the public. To register, click here.