Your Rights as a Seafarer: What the MLC 2006 Guarantees You

The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) is often called the "Seafarers' Bill of Rights." Adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and now ratified by states representing over 90% of the world's gross tonnage, it sets legally binding minimum standards for working and living conditions on commercial vessels.

If you work at sea on a vessel of 500GT or above on international voyages, the MLC almost certainly applies to you. Here is what it actually guarantees — and what you can do if your employer is not complying.

Employment Agreements (SEA)

Every seafarer covered by the MLC must have a Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA) — a written contract signed before joining the vessel. Your SEA must include:

• Your full name and date of birth
• Your rank and duties
• The amount of wages and how they are calculated
• Paid annual leave entitlement
• Conditions for termination, including notice periods
• Health and social security benefits
• Repatriation entitlement

Never join a vessel without a signed SEA. If a company asks you to board before paperwork is complete, this is a red flag.

Wages

The MLC requires that wages are paid in full at regular intervals (at least monthly) and transferred to a designated bank account or paid by another agreed method. You are entitled to allot part of your wages to dependants at home.

The ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) publishes a Recommended Minimum Wage for able seamen each year — the MLC baseline figure is set by the Joint Maritime Commission (JMC). As of 2024, the JMC minimum for an AB was USD 614/month. Most reputable companies pay significantly above this.

Wage deductions are only permitted in specific circumstances defined in the MLC — companies cannot make arbitrary deductions.

Working Hours and Rest

This is one of the most important — and most frequently violated — parts of the MLC. The convention sets minimum rest requirements (or equivalent maximum work limits):

Rest hours must be recorded in an official log. You are entitled to inspect your own rest hour records, and they must be signed by you and the master.

Accommodation and Food

The MLC sets minimum standards for seafarer accommodation, including:

• Minimum cabin sizes (single-berth cabins for officers as a rule on vessels built after 2013)
• Adequate ventilation, heating, and natural light where practicable
• Access to clean toilets and showers
• Adequate, nutritious food and clean drinking water provided free of charge
• A recreational area and, on larger vessels, a hospital or sick bay

Medical Care

You are entitled to medical care on board and ashore at no personal cost for illness or injury arising from your employment at sea. This covers:

• Medical treatment on board from a trained officer
• Transfer ashore for medical treatment when required
• Medical expenses ashore, including hospitalisation
• Sick pay for up to 16 weeks after injury or illness connected to service

Your ENG1 medical certificate confirms you are fit to work at sea, but it does not limit your right to medical care if you fall ill or are injured during service.

Repatriation

If your contract ends, you are signed off sick, or your vessel is lost, the shipowner is required to arrange and pay for your repatriation to your home country. This includes travel, accommodation during transit, and basic living allowance.

If a shipowner fails to repatriate you, the flag state (the country whose flag the ship flies) is obligated to step in. In practice, the ITF and welfare organisations often assist stranded seafarers in these situations.

Freedom of Association

The MLC affirms your right to join a trade union. In the UK, Nautilus International represents officers across all maritime sectors, and the RMT represents ratings. Joining a union is entirely your right and your employer cannot penalise you for it.

What to Do If Your Rights Are Being Violated

If you believe your employer is not complying with the MLC, you have several routes:

1. Use the on-board complaints procedure — all MLC-compliant vessels must have one. If the complaint concerns the master, you can contact the shipowner directly.
2. Contact the ITF — the ITF has inspectors in most major ports worldwide. They have the authority to inspect vessels, interview crew, and in serious cases, detain ships until violations are resolved. itfglobal.org
3. Contact your flag state authority — UK-flagged vessels are subject to MCA oversight. The MCA can inspect, issue deficiency notices, and in serious cases detain vessels.
4. Port State Control (PSC) — if in a foreign port, the host country's PSC authority can inspect and detain a vessel for MLC violations. You have the right to request a PSC inspection.
5. Contact your union — Nautilus International and the RMT both have legal teams who can advise and act on seafarers' behalf.

Summary: Your Minimum Entitlements

In plain language, the MLC guarantees you: a written contract before you board; regular wages paid in full; proper rest; decent food and accommodation; free medical care; a safe route home; and the right to complain without retaliation. These are not aspirational standards — they are legally binding on every ratifying state.

Know your rights before you need them. A seafarer who knows the MLC is in a far stronger position than one who does not.