MEPs adopted on Tuesday new rules that requires EU member states to put in place improved inspection and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that working and living conditions on ships flying their flags conform to the International Labour Organisation’s Maritime Labour Convention 2006.

« The Parliament has achieved that clearer and more detailed provisions were introduced at the EU level on how Member States must guarantee seafarer’s decent working and living conditions » said rapporteur and Employment and Social Affairs Committee Chair Pervenche Berès (S&D, FR). The resolution was adopted with 599 votes in favour, 54 against and 15 abstentions.

The new text introduces, at the EU level, compliance and enforcement provisions, in order to guarantee seafarers’ rights for decent working and living conditions, as laid down in the Maritime Labour Convention and corresponding EU legislation.

Better compliance

The Parliament improved the compliance with the Convention, e.g. by including regular intervals of inspections or by ensuring access to a copy of the Convention to seafarers.

The inspectors in charge of the compliance will also be empowered to take measures such as prohibiting a ship from leaving the port. Clearer provisions regarding which organisations are authorised to carry out inspections were also introduced. More visibility has been given to on-board complaint procedures, handling of complaints and corrective measures.

A non-regression clause also ensures that more favourable provisions of the EU legislation on working and living conditions are not impacted by this proposal.

Next steps

The informal agreement has now to be approved by Council as a whole.

The Member States have 15 months after the entry into force of this Directive to transpose it into national law, while the Maritime Labour Convention came into force on 20 August 2013.