SRI Project 2024:
Assessing the global effectiveness of the implementation and enforcement of the MLC

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The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC) consolidates and updates the majority (68 out of 72) of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) maritime Conventions and Recommendations adopted since 1920. It is regarded as the “bill of rights” for some 1.9 million seafarers and it is intended to help to ensure a level playing field for quality shipowners who compete with substandard ships amongst the more than 50,000 merchant ships trading internationally.

The Convention entered into force on 20 August 2013. Ten years after the entry into force of the Convention, and despite its the widespread ratification, this study by SRI examines the extent to which the MLC is being fully, completely and uniformly implemented and enforced around the world.