Togo ratifies the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)

With the ratification of the MLC, 2006 by Togo, 25 ILO member States are now parties to the Convention. While the first condition for the entry into force of the Convention is already met, i.e. registered ratifications representing at least 33 per cent of the world gross tonnage of ships, the ratification of the Convention by Togo is an important step towards achieving the second condition, which is the ratification of the Convention by 30 member States.

News | 30 March 2012

GENEVA (ILO News) – The Director of the International Labour Standards Department, Ms. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, received today from Mr. Octave Nicoué Broohm, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, the instruments of ratification of three governance Conventions – the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) and the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129), and three technical Conventions – the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), the Labour Administration Convention, 1978 (No. 150) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187). A few days earlier, Togo has deposited the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Togo becomes the fourth African member State, after Liberia, Gabon and Benin, to ratify it. In total, therefore, Togo has ratified seven ILO Conventions of great importance for its Decent Work Agenda.

In depositing the instrument of ratification, Mr. Octave Nicoué Broohm stated: “The ratification of MLC, 2006 by Togo shows the desire of Government to continue its commitment to ensure safety and security of the port of Lomé, which facilitates the development in commercial exchanges not only for Togo, but also for neighbouring countries. The construction project to expand the port will give it a truly sub-regional character. We are pleased of these developments and thank the Office for working together in the process.”

In receiving the instrument of ratification, Ms. Doumbia-Henry stated: “The ratification of the MLC, 2006 by Togo demonstrates the commitment of the Government and the social partners to international labour standards and the promotion of decent working and living conditions for seafarers, as well as conditions of fair competition for shipowners. Thanks to its draft, free port status and extensive facilities, the Autonomous Port of Lomé, through which transits over two thirds of Togo’s trade, plays an essential role for the national economy, but also for landlocked countries, such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Togo is also developing its activities as a flag State, with a considerable increase of the number of ships registered in recent years. Finally, hundreds of Togolese seafarers are employed on board foreign-flagged vessels and this number could increase significantly with the development of maritime transport in the country. As a port and flag State but also as a labour-supplying country, Togo sends a strong message to other ILO member States, especially those in the African continent, in favour of the early ratification and effective implementation of the MLC, 2006.”

With the ratification of the MLC, 2006 by Togo, 25 ILO member States are now parties to the Convention. While the first condition for the entry into force of the Convention is already met, i.e. registered ratifications representing at least 33 per cent of the world gross tonnage of ships, the ratification of the Convention by Togo is an important step towards achieving the second condition, which is the ratification of the Convention by 30 member States. It is expected that the remaining five ratifications will be received before the end of 2012, making it possible for the MLC, 2006 to enter into force in 2013.