Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) for seafarers

1 What it covers

The ILO Maritime Labour Convention sets minimum requirements for seafarers’ working and living conditions: fitness and training, conditions of employment, accommodation and food, medical care and social protection, and the inspection of compliance.¹

Several standards matter for seafarer documents: the medical certificate (Standard A1.2, STCW medical certificates are accepted), the record of employment (A2.1), the ship’s cook qualification and food hygiene training (A3.2), and a medical doctor on ships with many people on board (A4.1).²

2 How it is built

• ArticlesArticles and RegulationsCore rights and obligations; Regulations in five Titles
• Part ACode, StandardsMandatory requirements for implementing the Regulations
• Part BCode, GuidelinesGuidance on implementing the Standards

Structure as set out in the official texts.¹

3 Titles and documents

Documents of the reference by Title of the Convention.

• 1Title 1. Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a shipSeafarer Medical Fitness Certificateand 1 brief entry in the reference
• 2Title 2. Conditions of employmentSeaman’s Book / Sea Service Record Bookand 2 brief entries in the reference
• 3Title 3. Accommodation, recreational facilities, food and cateringFood and Personal Hygiene, Food Handling and Storage TrainingShip’s Cook Qualification Documentand 1 brief entry in the reference
• 4Title 4. Health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protectionProfessional Qualification Evidence – Ship’s Medical Doctor

4 Where to read the text

ILO publishes the official texts of the Convention and its amendments on its website. This page is our own explanation, not a translation.

• Convention with 2022 amendments, consolidated text (ILO, PDF)
• MLC 2006 texts and preparatory reports (ILO)