The Maritime Labour Convention 2006

By Author: Andrew Wilson
Total Articles: 9
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Maritime Labour Convention 2006

Introduction

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) is an International Labour Organization convention set up in 2006 as the fourth principal of worldwide maritime legislation and embodies "all up-to-date criteria of current global maritime labor Conventions and Recommendations, and also the standard key points found in other worldwide labor Conventions". The convention came into effect on 20 August 2013 and as of February 2014, the convention has been ratified by 56 states that represent 80 percent of global shipping.

Title 4

The Maritime Labour Convention contains five Titles which lay out the criteria and conditions to be followed. Probably the most pertinent here is Title 4: Health Protection, Medical Care, Welfare and Social Security Protection.

Title 4 involves 5 rules which includes:

• Health care onboard ship and on land: Seafarers need to be insured for and have use of medical treatment while onboard; in principle at no cost and of a level of quality comparable to the standards of health care on shore. Countries through which territory a ship ...
... is passing should guarantee treatment on shore in serious cases.

• Shipowners' liability: Seafarers should be protected against the financial results of "sickness, injury or death occurring in connection with their employment". This includes no less than 16 weeks of payment of income after beginning of health problems.

• Social security: Social security protection should be available to seafarers (and whenever it is usual in the flag state): their relatives.

Before the Maritime Labour Convention came into force, there were no particular standards or requirements for a lot of aspects of security for marine crews. Now, ship owners and captains are having to think about cost effective worldwide health and protection solutions that not only meet the requirements put down by the MLC, but are also of high enough quality to allow them to attract and keep the best crew possible.

Xact Expat have many solutions available that could work in conjunction with the specifications and requirements of the MLC. These vary from “off the shelf” industry specific products from a panel of leading recognised insurance providers, to tailored health insurance and protection solutions through the Lloyd’s market.

Andrew Wilson
Director
Xact Risk Solutions
www.xactexpat.com

Andrew has over twenty years experience providing the best insurance solutions for his clients needs. A recognised expert in the field of international medical insurance, he has helped expats all around the world whether they be individuals, families, groups or companies. Please visit the website at www.xactexpat.com to find out more, or you can get a free, no obligation quote simply by visiting www.xactexpat.com/get-a-quote.html