MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
Who Looks After the People Who Work at Sea?
What it is
The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006) is an international agreement.
Who made it
It was developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency.
What it does
It sets minimum standards for working and living conditions at sea.
Since when
It has been in force since 2013.
The MLC helps protect the people who make a cruise ship operation possible.
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
The MLC Protects People Across the Ship
The MLC generally applies to everyone working onboard a cruise ship, whatever their job, department or seniority: from the Captain and senior officers to restaurant, housekeeping, entertainment and technical crew. It also covers crew employed by external companies, such as spa, retail and other onboard service providers.
What matters is their work onboard, not their employer or seniority.
Did you know?
A Spa Manager employed by an external company and the ship's Captain can both be protected by the same international Convention. Protections apply across the ship, with only limited exceptions depending on the applicable rules.
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
Five Things Every Cruise Ship Must Get Right
Who can work at sea?
Title 1: Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship
What are the employment conditions?
Title 2: Conditions of employment
What are living conditions like?
Title 3: Accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering
How are health, safety and welfare protected?
Title 4: Health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protection
How does the ship show it follows the rules?
Title 5: Compliance and enforcement
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
Before They Board: Is Everything in Place?
Imagine a new crew member getting ready to join a cruise ship. Before they start work, they must:
- meet the minimum age, generally 16 under the MLC, with higher limits for some work or under company or national rules
- hold a valid medical certificate showing they are fit for the job
- have the right training and qualifications
- have a Seafarer's Employment Agreement (SEA), their written employment contract
- have been recruited through proper, fair arrangements
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
A Contract Is More Than a Piece of Paper
Before signing their Seafarer's Employment Agreement (SEA), a crew member should understand:
What job will I do?
How much will I be paid, and how?
How much paid leave am I entitled to?
SEA
How can my contract end?
When do I have the right to be sent home, and who pays for the journey?
Some crew are also covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA): an agreement negotiated between employers or their representatives and trade unions, which can give extra employment conditions.
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
Cruise Ships Never Sleep. Crew Members Must!
10 hours
of rest in any 24-hour period
77 hours
of rest in any seven-day period
- These are the MLC's minimum-rest standards. There are also rules on maximum working hours, how rest can be divided and when exceptions are allowed, and the flag State's rules apply.
- Rest matters because tired people make mistakes, get hurt and become unwell.
- For example, a waiter finishes a late dinner shift and is rostered for breakfast a few hours later.
- Records must show the hours crew members actually work and rest.
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
Scenario
What Would You Do?
“A restaurant manager tells you that their team is extremely busy and some employees have not been receiving their required rest hours. The manager says this is normal during busy cruises and there is nothing HR can do.”
What would concern you about this situation?
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
When Crew Don't Get Enough Rest: What Should HR Do?
HR must take the concern seriously and ensure it is properly addressed.
Establish the facts
Find out who is affected, how much rest they have actually received and whether this is an isolated incident or an ongoing problem.
Protect crew wellbeing
Check that affected crew members are safe, assess any fatigue concerns and arrange appropriate compensatory rest in accordance with applicable requirements.
Address the operational problem
Discuss the reasons with the relevant senior department leader and the Master. Identify what needs to change to prevent further breaches.
Ensure accurate records
Make sure working and rest hours reflect what actually happened. Records must never be changed to hide missed rest or make schedules appear compliant.
Report, escalate and follow up
Follow company procedures, including shoreside reporting and escalation requirements. Ensure corrective actions are completed and check that the problem does not continue.
Key takeaway: Operational pressures do not remove the obligation to provide adequate rest. Any breaches must be addressed, accurately recorded and properly followed up.
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
The Ship Is Their Home, Too
Crew live onboard for months, so accommodation, meals, drinking water, hygiene and recreation all matter. Food and drinking water are free while they work onboard.
Example
A crew member's cabin air conditioning has not worked properly for days. Is this only a maintenance issue?
It is both. The fault needs fixing, and HR may need to consider the effect on the crew member's living conditions and wellbeing. That is why departments work together.
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
What Happens When Someone Gets Sick or Injured?
The MLC protects access to medical care, safe working conditions and support. Imagine a galley worker is injured during a busy shift and needs treatment.
HR may ask
- Has the person been to the medical centre and are they receiving appropriate medical care?
- Who needs to be informed?
- What support does the person need?
- Are the correct procedures being followed?
- Has the situation been properly documented?
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
Can Crew Members Speak Up Without Fear?
The MLC requires an onboard complaints procedure for concerns about alleged breaches, and crew must be able to use it without retaliation.
“My supervisor asked me to record fewer working hours than I actually worked.” How would you handle this fairly?
Listen carefully, check the facts, keep appropriate confidentiality, follow the procedure and protect the crew member against retaliation.
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
Whose Job Is It to Get This Right?
Shipowner
Makes sure the applicable MLC obligations are met.
Flag State
The country where the ship is registered; it puts the requirements into force and enforces them.
Master and department heads
Follow the applicable rules and company procedures in daily operations.
Shipboard HR
Helps monitor working conditions, supports crew, keeps records and raises concerns.
Crewing agencies and partners
Carry out their part of the arrangements, while the shipowner keeps its MLC obligations.
Everyone helps the ship follow the rules. HR works with other departments rather than managing everything alone.
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
What Happens When the Inspectors Come Onboard?
Ships can be inspected against the applicable MLC requirements. Inspectors might review employment agreements, rest-hour and wage records, crew accommodation, medical certificates and complaint procedures, and may talk to crew.
The Maritime Labour Certificate shows the ship has been assessed. The Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) explains the national requirements and the shipowner's measures for meeting them.
An inspection is not just about paperwork. The ship must actually follow the rules.
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
So, What Does This Mean for You in HR?
Be approachable and trusted by crew members
Understand basic employment rights and responsibilities
Recognise potential problems early
Work closely with department heads
Handle concerns fairly
Keep appropriate records
Know when to ask questions or escalate concerns
You don't need to be an MLC expert before your interview. Your HR experience is valuable, and maritime knowledge comes with training and time onboard.
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
Before Your Interview: Let's Check What You've Learned!
What is the main purpose of the MLC 2006?
Does the MLC generally cover hotel department employees on cruise ships?
Why is it important for crew members to receive adequate rest?
What should HR do when a crew member raises a concern about working conditions?
Is the HR Director the only person responsible for MLC compliance onboard?
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
You're One Step Closer to Working at Sea!
Answers
- To set international minimum standards for seafarers' working and living conditions.
- Yes, hotel and guest service staff are usually seafarers under the MLC.
- Tiredness affects safety, health and wellbeing, and records must show the real hours.
- Listen, understand the concern, follow the procedure, stay impartial and follow up.
- No. The shipowner, flag State, Master and department heads share responsibility; HR supports and monitors.
You don't need every regulation, but understand why the Convention exists and how HR protects crew rights and wellbeing. Think about using your HR skills at sea, and explore the ILO's MLC resources at ilo.org.
MLC 2006 Familiarisation | Shipboard HR Candidate Preparation | Cruise Academy Ltd.
Welcome Aboard! Let's Talk About Your Future Workplace
On a cruise ship, crew members live and work in the same place, sometimes for several months.
That is why the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) is such an important part of working in shipboard HR.