New changes to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 due to come into force in the new year

In just a couple of months, proposed amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 are due to come into force, as revealed by marine payroll & HR specialist CESG.

As CESG explained, the changes, due to take place on the 18^th January 2017, were originally proposed in 2009, but weren’t able to be progressed until the convention itself had come into force on an international scale.

This originally happened back in August 2013, but was not agreed by the UK until 2014 by the International Labour Organisation’s MLC Special Tripartite Committee, at the International Labour Conference.

The changes will see a significant focus on ‘Title 2.5 Repatriation’, according to HR & finance specialist CESG and will include:

• The ability for a seafarer to have direct access to claim assistance quickly, from a financial security provider.

• An improved description of abandonment.

• Financial security cover to include food, accommodation, medical costs, wages (up to 4 months outstanding arrears) and other expenses associated with the abandonment.

• The financial security provider to provide the format and content of the certificate of financial security, in relation to abandonment.

For more information, visit CESG.