Maritime Labour Convention

Under the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), port states must ensure that seafarers on board ships in their territory who are in need of immediate medical care are given access to medical facilities on shore.

The People’s Republic of China ratified the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (“MLC”) on 12 November 2015, which was the 68th State to ratify the Convention. The Convention came into force in China on 12 November 2016, one year after the ratification. 

The ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) notes with deep concern the challenges and the impact that restrictions and other measures adopted by governments around the world to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the protection of seafarers’ rights as laid out in the Convention.

The 2018 amendments to the MLC, 2006 will bring about a change to a seafarer's employment agreement (SEA) where it shall continue to have effect and wages shall continue to be paid while a seafarer is held captive on or off the ship as a result of acts of piracy or armed robbery against ships.