Written answers

Tuesday, 5 February 2013

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

International Agreements

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his view on the non-ratification to date by Ireland of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and ILO 188 and the basis upon which these standards are not applied here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5248/13]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is applicable to international shipping worldwide.  It aims to achieve decent working and living conditions on board ships for all seafarers, regardless of their nationality and of the flag of the ship, as well as securing fair competition for quality shipowners.  The Convention enters into force 12 months after 30 ratifications are registered with the ILO.  The 30th ratification was registered on 20 August 2012, so the Convention enters into force for those 30 countries on 20 August 2013.  It will enter into force for Ireland 12 months after we ratify. 

 Ireland supports the Maritime Labour Convention, and is preparing to ratify it.  My Department is working with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting of a suite of Regulations, to enable Ireland to ratify.

  The ILO Work in Fishing Convention (No.188) was adopted in 2007 to set standards to protect workers in the fishing sector. The Convention aims to ensure that fishers:

- have improved occupational safety and health and medical care at sea, and that sick or injured fishers receive care ashore;

- receive sufficient rest for their health and safety;

- have the protection of a work agreement; and

- have the same social security protection as other workers.

There are also measures to ensure compliance and enforcement. The work in fishing  convention will enter into force 12 months after the date on which the ratifications of ten Members, eight of which are coastal States, have been registered with the Director General of the ILO. At present only two countries have ratified i.e. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Argentina.

It is generally accepted that attention within the marine sector will focus on the International Labour Organisation Work in Fishing Convention (ILO C188), after the MLC 2006 comes into force.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.