The Irish Congress Trade Unions has urged the Irish Government to ratify a convention that could greatly improve seafarers" working conditions and improve safety at sea.
The Maritime Labour Convention 2006, adopted by the International Labour Organisation, comes into force today, Tuesday July 20, 2013.
The convention, often referred to as Bill of Rights for seafarers, will effectively become binding in international law and strengthen the power of port officers to detain vessels on the grounds of unsatisfactory working and living conditions for their crews.
Under its provisions, the ship's captain will have to be able to produce certificates issued by the flag state to prove the employer has complied with agreed labour standards. Proof will also be required that seafarers are being paid at least on a monthly basis and are getting at least 10 hours rest per day (77 hours rest per week).
The convention includes specific requirements for living accommodation, including the size of rooms and standards of heating and ventilation. It entitles seafarers to proper medical care and to repatriation, for example in the case of illness, injury or the ship-owner falling into insolvency.
The convention has been described as a "milestone in maritime history" by the ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder.
Congress Legislation and Legal Affairs" Officer, Esther Lynch, said: 'to be effective the Maritime Convention needs widespread ratification so that it can be uniformly enforced. By not ratifying it, Ireland is in danger of becoming a weak link in the chain and workers will lose out. Ireland is also out of step with our nearest neighbours who have already ratified the convention. Currently the ILO has 45 registered ratifications of the convention, covering more than 75% of the world's gross tonnage of ships."
Ken Fleming of the International Transport Workers" Federation (ITF) also urged the government to ratify the convention and said: "Countries can only fully implement the provisions of the convention 12 months after ratification. Consequently, Ireland must not miss the opportunity to shape the manner in which the convention is used to protect seafarers. In the past Ireland has been at the forefront in helping to stamp out the abuse of seafarers calling to her ports. The ratification of this convention will maintain our good name within the industry. There are no acceptable reasons why ratification should not happen immediately."
