Examining 20 Years of the Maritime Labour Convention
The World Maritime University (WMU) brought together international experts on 15 October to mark the 20th anniversary of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), and assess its achievements and ongoing challenges in protecting seafarers’ rights and working conditions.
Organized by WMU in collaboration with COST Action BlueRights, the panel discussion, The Seafarers’ Bill of Rights turns 20: Assessing the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, was held for students in WMU’s Malmö MSc programme. It featured representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), shipowners’ and seafarers’ organizations, seafarers’ welfare organizations and academia.
In his opening remarks, WMU President Professor Maximo Q. Mejia highlighted how the Convention consolidated more than 65 ILO maritime labour instruments into a single framework, establishing minimum international standards for seafarers’ working and living conditions. Often described as the “fourth pillar” of international maritime regulation, alongside SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW, the Convention has made labour standards an integral part of maritime certification and inspection.
Dr Khanssa Lagdami, WMU Associate Professor of Maritime Labour Law and Policy, convened the event and chaired the discussion alongside Dr Vincenzo Pietrogiovanni, Associate Professor of Labour Law at the University of Southern Denmark. The discussion explored the Convention’s negotiation and achievements, persistent gaps between its provisions and implementation in practice, and how it can be strengthened to address evolving challenges in the maritime sector.
The session concluded with questions and discussion with WMU students, giving them the opportunity to engage directly with the panellists on the future of seafarers’ rights and maritime labour standards.
The proceedings will be documented in an open-access volume, providing a resource for researchers, practitioners and policymakers working on the future of maritime labour governance.
PANELISTS
Professor Irini Papanicolopulu
British Academy Global Professor of International Law, SOAS University of London; Vice-Chair, COST Action BlueRights
Mr Damien Chevallier
Director, Maritime Safety Division, International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Ms Beatriz Vacotto
Head of the Maritime Unit, International Labour Standards Department, International Labour Office (ILO)
Mr Danny McGowan
Head of International Relations, Nautilus International
Mr Helio Vicente
Director of Employment Affairs, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)
Pastor Matthias Ristau
General Secretary, Deutsche Seemannsmission (German Seafarers’ Mission); International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA)
Ms Khomotjo Mphahlele
Maritime Professional; MSc Candidate, Maritime Affairs, World Maritime University (WMU)
To access the event programme, click here.
