Ahead of the August, 2013 commencement of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC),2006 ,a strong delegation from Nigeria is expected to submit the convention’s instrument of ratification by Nigeria at the headquarters of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) this week in Geneva, Switzerland .
Ahead of the August, 2013 commencement of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC),2006 ,a strong delegation from Nigeria is expected to submit the convention’s instrument of ratification by Nigeria at the headquarters of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) this week in Geneva, Switzerland .
Shipping Position Daily learnt last week that top government officials from relevant agencies in both the transport and labour ministries and agencies are expected to grace the landmark event which will finally put the name of Nigeria on the elite list of West African nations like Liberia, Benin Republic and Togo, which had ratified the convention.
The Federal Government had on May 8, 2013 after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting approved the domestication of the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention, already ratified by 39 states representing 68% of global shipping in Geneva, Switzerland.
In specific, the MLC 2006 covers conditions of employment, hours of work and rest, accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering, health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protection. That is why it is called the ‘Seafarers Bill of Rights’.
Parties to the convention must ensure that ships flying their flag meet the ‘decent work’ requirements, and certify that those ships comply with the requirements relating to labour conditions.
When it comes into effect on August 20, the MLC, 2006 will replace 37 existing ILO maritime Conventions and related Recommendations adopted since 1920.
While briefing journalists to announce the ratification, Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, alongside his labour and transport counterparts, Chief Emeka Nwogu and Sen. Idris Umar respectively, said for 7 years Nigeria has been unable to domesticate the agreement despite the various advantages attached to doing so.
Maku said Council deliberated and further approved the joint memorandum submitted for the domestication by Wogu and Idris and forwarded it to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Muhammad Bello Adoke to prepare the legal instrument.
It is that legal instrument that will be presented this week at the ILO headquarters in Geneva.
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