Research On The International Maritime Labor Convention

The International Labour Organisation’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC),2006consolidates36conventions and1protocol of the40conventions and protocols adopted by the ILO before MLC and gives due consideration to29corresponding recommendations of ILO. The Convention aims to achieve both decent work for seafarers and secure economic interests in fair competition for quality shipowners. The Convention is regarded as the forth pillar underpinning the global shipping industry.Chapter1of this paper introduces the background information of MLC, including the reason to adopt such a convention and its adopting history, and analyses three traits of MLC, i.e. the composition of MLC, the compliance and enforcement mechanism and the amendments adoption procedures under the MLC.Chapter2of this paper compares MLC with other international labour conventions and recommendations adopted by ILO previously, so as to have a deeper understanding of the rules of MLC and also help to find the developments in seafarers’rights standards contained in the MLC.As International Maritime Organization was involved in the drafting of MLC, MLC therefore contains many IMO elements. In the third chapter, this paper analyses the major IMO elements found in MLC, so as to understand MLC better and to visualize MLC’s position in the international maritime conventions system.Chapter4of this paper compares MLC with the Chinese seafarers’ rights legal protection system, and tries to put forward some advices to improve the present Chinese seafarers’ rights legal protection system so as to help China to be better prepared when China ratifies MLC.