Iceland ratifies the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006)

On 4 April 2019, Iceland marked the ILO’s centenary with the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006). This ratification represents an important step towards reaching the objective of 100 ratifications during the centenary.

The MLC, 2006 consolidates and revises almost all previous maritime labour instruments adopted by the ILO between 1920 and 1996. The Convention’s main objectives are to ensure the worldwide protection of the rights of seafarers and to establish a level playing field for countries and shipowners committed to providing decent working and living conditions to seafarers.

The ratification of the MLC, 2006 by Iceland is the result of longstanding efforts made by the Government and the social partners towards enhancing the right of seafarers to decent working and living conditions in the more than 200 ships of the Icelandic merchant fleet. All Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland - are now bound by the MLC, 2006.

The MLC, 2006 will enter into force for Iceland on 4 April 2020, that is, one year after its ratification. For further information, please visit the MLC, 2006 webpage.