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Monday 16 February 2009

Norway and Panama Ratify ILO Maritime Labour Convention

Both Norway and Panama have ratified the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 with the International Labour Organization (ILO). Panama is the largest flag state in the world with nearly 25 per cent of the world’s merchant fleet flying its flag. Norway is the first European country to ratify it.

To date, the Convention has been ratified by Liberia, the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Bahamas and Panama, the four largest flag states, that together represent more than forty per cent (by gross tonnage) of the world’s fleet. The members of the European Union, as well as other major European seafaring nations, have already made significant progress in adopting the convention.
 
The Convention
The Maritime Labour Convention, the “super convention”, is a comprehensive convention bringing together and updating 37 existing ILO Conventions and covers the minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship, conditions of employment, hours of work and rest, wages, leave, repatriation, accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering, occupational safety and health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protection. It also promotes a level playing field for quality shipping in the rapidly growing maritime sector
 
Entry into Force
Entry into force of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 requires ratification by at least thirty ILO member States with a total share in the world gross tonnage of ships of at least 33 per cent. While one of these conditions is now met with over forty per cent of the word gross tonnage falling under the convention, progress in many countries indicates that the fulfilment of the other requirement (thirty ratifying member States) for entry into force can be expected by 2011.

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