Strengthening the maritime sector in the Pacific

ILO training on the implementation of and reporting on the Martime Labour Convention 2006

News | 09 February 2017
ILO (Suva) – In the Pacific the ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) has been ratified by Fiji, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Samoa, while Vanuatu is taking the first steps towards its ratification.

However, ratification is not enough without its implementation, this week, the ILO Office for Pacific Islands countries is providing training for over 20 participants at a workshop in Nadi, on the implementation of and reporting on the MLC, to ensure that the MLC is put into practice and Pacific seafarers are protected and enjoy their rights to decent work. The workshop has brought together workers and employers’ representatives, as well as
representatives from the labour department and maritime authorities of Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The Director for the ILO Office for the Pacific Island Countries, Mr. Donglin Li said “The MLC, also known as the Seafarers’ Bill of Rights is protecting the rights to decent work of the seafarers of signatory states. This Convention is of outmost importance for the Pacific Island Countries where the maritime sector plays such a significant role in Pacific economies and daily lives. “

Mr Li said “I would like to emphasise the importance of tripartite dialogue and international cooperation for the effective implementation of this Convention. In this respect, this workshop, together with other past and future regional workshops are extremely valuable as they bring together people with common interests, particularly given the similar challenges we all face in the Pacific region in implementing this Convention. “

The training workshop is organized in response to requests from the ratifying countries for technical assistance in relation to the implementation of and reporting on the MLC. The workshop is also a follow‐up to a previous successful training organized by the ILO in 2010 promoting the ratification of the MLC in the Pacific region. This will be complemented now, following ratifications, by training on implementing and reporting on the Convention. He said “The maritime sector is a globalized sector, essential to international trade and to achieving the goals of sustainable economic development. It is, however, also a sector that is dependent on international aid and cooperation, and we, in the Pacific, can attest to this. “

By the end of the training, it is expected that each participant will be equipped with the necessary tools to ensure the effective implementation of the Convention and prepare a first draft of their article 22 report. Moreover, the workshop will also serve as a forum for an exchange of experiences amongst the participants and promote further regional cooperation.