Sri Lanka ratifies ILO Maritime Labour Convention

The Sri Lankan Government last week deposited the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) with the International Labor Office (ILO). Sri Lanka is the 81st ILO member state and the 16th Asian state to have ratified the convention.

In depositing the instrument of ratification, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, stated: “Sri Lanka is committed to the creation of new job opportunities in a sustainable manner as envisaged in the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and particularly in line with the Government’s commitment to eradicate poverty and promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.”

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Ambassador Aryasinha also stated that Sri Lanka looked forward to working closely with the ILO for capacity building, in particular training in the areas of labour standards and labour inspection, for officers in the Ministry of Labour of Sri Lanka.

In receiving the instrument of ratification, ILO Director-General Guy Ryder stated: “The ratification of Sri Lanka, located in a key position within the global liner shipping network, brings one more important player in the Asia Pacific region within the scope of the MLC, 2006. Such ratification proves once more that the convention has sparked a new dynamic as countries now realise that the MLC, 2006 unavoidably impacts the manner in which they carry out maritime trade and that they have to align their laws and practice with the provisions of the convention. 

“This ratification is all the more timely as it will allow Sri Lanka to improve labour conditions for its more than 22,000 seafarers and ensure that ships calling at its ports are inspected in compliance with the requirements of the convention, thereby promoting quality shipping and providing additional protection for seafarers transiting within its waters.”

The MLC, 2006 entered into force on 20 August 2013 for the first 30 member states that had registered their ratification by 20 August 2012. The MLC, 2006 will enter into force for Sri Lanka on 12 January 2018, one year after its ratification.