MLC 2006

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006), adopted by the International Labour Organization, sets minimum standards for the working and living conditions of seafarers on commercial ships. Often described as the "seafarers' bill of rights" or the "fourth pillar" of international maritime regulation (alongside SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW).

The Convention covers minimum age, medical certificates, recruitment standards, seafarer employment agreements, wages, hours of work and rest, leave, repatriation, food and catering, on-board accommodation, recreational facilities, health protection, and complaint procedures. Compliance is enforced via the Maritime Labour Certificate (MLC) on board each ship, audited by flag states and port states.

Crew management workflows must produce auditable evidence for every requirement — wage records, work/rest hour logs, complaint registers, repatriation arrangements.