Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation, Richard Bruton, have announced the ratification by Ireland of the Maritime Labour Convention, which sets standards for working and living conditions for seafarers.
From July 21 2015, Ireland will be a party to the convention and will implement its requirements, both for Irish-flagged ships and for international ships calling at Irish ports.
In the meantime, work is progressing on the inspection and certification of Irish ships in preparation for entry into force of the convention for Ireland, with declarations of maritime labour compliance being issued to all Irish-flagged vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more which operate internationally. Work is also under way on preparing for port State control inspections for foreign-flagged ships in Ireland when the convention enters into force here.
“I am delighted that Ireland has now ratified this convention, which underlines our commitment to maritime safety and to improved living and working conditions for seafarers,” Minister Donohoe said. “Implementation of the convention will improve Ireland’s international maritime reputation, as well as ensuring that seafarers enjoy better conditions, and that the shipping sector generally becomes a more secure and socially responsible sector.”
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation Richard Bruton, whose Department has overall responsibility for International Labour Organization matters, also welcomed the ratification. “I am very happy to welcome the ratification of this important international labour standard,” Minister Bruton said. “This convention will improve working and living conditions for workers on board ships and should lead to more secure, better-protected, and responsible maritime employment. Ireland is fully behind the ILO’s efforts to define international labour standards in this important sector.”
