DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGINEERING DOUBLE DEGREE PROGRAM INSTITUT TEKNOLOGI SEPULUH NOPEMBER HOCHSCHULE WISMAR MLC 2006: A Blessing or A Curse to Maritime Stakeholders? by Dimas Angga Fakhri Muzhoffar 42 12 101 019 May 2015 Lecturer Taufik Fajar Nugroho, ST. M.Sc. ME141364 Marine Surveying dimas.angga.fm@gmail.com DIMAS A. F. MUZHOFFAR (4212 101 019)Page 2 of 9 this page intentionally left blank DIMAS A. F. MUZHOFFAR (4212 101 019)Page 3 of 9 Theconventionconsistoffivemaintopics,including;SeafarersMinimumRequirements,Conditionof Employment, Accommodation, Health Protection,and Compliance and Enforcement. Those topics has its own requirement list due to the condition of seafarers.Until it triggers question about the benefit for the company; MLC 2006; a blessing or a curse to maritime stakeholders? keyword: Marine Workplace Maritime Labour Convention 2006 MLC 2006 Seafarers Employment Seafarers Health Protection Working and Living Condition Onboard Ship DIMAS A. F. MUZHOFFAR (4212 101 019)Page 4 of 9 1. Introduction Accordingto superyachttimes.com(2013) consideredastheConventionmakinglabour history, the MLC, also called the fourth pillar oftheinternationalregulatorforquality shipping,thuscomplementingtheotherkey conventionssuchasSOLAS,STCWandMARPOL, hasdevelopedthroughanunprecedentedfive yearprocessofintensiveconsultation.Its implementationisintendedtobeglobalandall thenecessarymechanismshavebeenputin placetoensurethat,tothegreatestextent possible,theConventionrequirementsare respected, even on the ships that fly the flag of countries that do not ratify the Convention. Theconventionprovidesfortheseafarer's employmentandsocialrightswhichincludethe minimumrequirementsforseafarerstoworkon aship,theconditions of employment,minimum requirementsforaccommodationandcrew facilitiesandhealthprotection,medicalcare, welfare and social security protection. Themostsignificantchangesrelatetothe accommodationandrecreationalfacilitiesof thecrew,whichwillaffectyacht owners/purchaserswhenconsideringbuilding theirownyacht.TheConventionprovides thattheshipsconstructedafterthe Conventionisinforcearetoprovideand maintainappropriateaccommodationsand recreational facilities for seafarers working or living on board (or both). Bywayofexample,theConventionprovides thatwhensleepingaccommodationonboard is required, individual sleeping rooms shall be provided and separate sleeping rooms shall be provided for women and men. AllshipsconstructedbeforetheConvention remainboundtocomplywiththe requirementsrelatingtoshipconstruction and equipment set out in the Accommodation ofCrewsConvention(Revised)1949andthe SupplementaryProvisionsin1970.However, theywillnotbeboundbythedesign restrictionsimposedbytheMLC.Atatime whenEuropeanshipyardsfacedifficult challenges,whethercausedbytheTurkish andChinesecompetitionorbytherecession whichaffectedtheyachtbuildingmarket, these new build restrictions come as a further hindrancetothedevelopmentofthe superyacht building market. AlternativelyshipyardsmayseeintheMLCa promotionalopportunitytosignnewbuild contractsstartingbeforetheMLCcomesinto forcetoensurethattheyescapethefuture mandatory requirements. Yachts builders have to bearinmindthattheFlagstateswillbe clarifying and guiding the yachting industry when the MLC comes into force as there remain areas ofconfusion.However,whenthetimecomes yachtbuilderswillhavetocomeupwith creative ideas to keep their customer happy and notloseashareofthismarketwhichhasbeen increasing so fast for the past 10 years. DIMAS A. F. MUZHOFFAR (4212 101 019)Page 5 of 9 2. Overview Referto ilo.org(2013)MLC,2006brings together,inoneplace,internationalminimum standardsthatensuredecentworkforthe estimatedmorethan1.5millionseafarers aroundtheworldwhoseworkisessentialto internationaltradeaswellastoanincreasingly importantformoftourismandrecreational activity. Under the MLC, 2006 every seafarer has the right to: a safe and secure workplace that complies with safety standards fair terms of employment decentworkingandlivingconditionson board ship healthprotection,medicalcare,welfare measuresandotherformsofsocial protection. Theconventionconsistoffivemaintopics, including;SeafarersMinimumRequirements, ConditionofEmployment,Accommodation, HealthProtection,andComplianceand Enforcement.Thosetopicshasitsown requirementlistduetotheconditionof seafarers. Generally,therequirementswhichmustfulfill bythecompanyensuretheseveralsubjectas ILOmentionabove.Untilittriggersquestion about the benefit for the company; MLC 2006; a blessing or a curse to maritime stakeholders? Supportedfromwikipedia.org(2015) The EuropeanUnion advisedits(then)27 memberstoratifythetreatyby31December 2010. TheEUDecisionprovides:"MemberStates areherebyauthorizedtoratify,fortheparts fallingunderCommunitycompetence,the MaritimeLabourConvention,2006,ofthe InternationalLabourOrganization,adoptedon7 February2006.MemberStatesshouldmake effortstotakethenecessarystepstodeposit theirinstrumentsofratificationofthe ConventionwiththeDirector-Generalofthe InternationalLabourOfficeassoonaspossible, preferablybefore31December2010."Asof August2014,19countrieshaddoneso,while CroatiadidsobeforeitenteredtheEuropean Union. Definitely,MLC,2006givecertainaddition standardsthatprobablydoesnothavesomuch attentionbefore.Theregulationsgivinga certainmust-fulfillconditionbymemberofthe conventionrelatedtotheirworker.Forclear, MLC,2006giveanadditionjobdeskinorderto fulfill the standards of seafarers condition. DIMAS A. F. MUZHOFFAR (4212 101 019)Page 6 of 9 3. Discussion 3.1 Minimum Requirements for Seafarers to Work on A Ship Thefirst titleinthe MLCregulateto ensure;no under-agepersonsworkonaship,allseafarers aremedicallyfit,andallseafarersare trained/qualified.Ithasnoreasonforthe companytodenythattheregulationisin purposetomakesurealltheseafarersare seaworthy.Itistheconditionthatcompany wanttoreachnomatterhowtoensurethe working capability of their worker. Then, comes anegativesideinadministrationprocess.The range of the applier is getting smaller due to the limitationsetby theregulation. Ithas nodoubt thattheregulationgivesomesortoflimitation fortheapplierspot.Inaddition,thisfirsttitle costthecompanyforgeneralmedicalcheckup for all applier. 3.2 Condition of Employment ThesecondtitleofMLCregulatetoensurethe seafarers;havefairemploymentagreement, paidfortheirservice,haveregulatedhoursof work or hours of rest, have adequate leave, able toreturnhome,compensatedwhenashipis lost,workonboardsafely-secure,andhave opportunitytopromotecareer.Itgivesa statement ofthebasicneed ofworker,notjust a seafarers. Thistitledescribeacommonrequirementsthat abasiclistforcompanytofulfill.Intheother hand,itgivesomebenefittotheseafarersin workinghourssubject.Onboardoftheship condition,hasnodoubt,isalwaysinnotexact time for work and rest due to the same space of workandrest.Mostofthetimeitgivean uncertain rest hours for the seafarers. Clearly no negative point of this regulation appear because oftheadequatefairconditionarrangeby company. 3.3 Accommodation, Recreational Facilities, Food, and Catering ThethirdtitleofMLCregulatetoensurethe seafarers;havedecentaccommodationand recreationalfacilitiesonboard,andhaveaccess togoodqualityfoodanddrink.Thistitlegive certainrequirementthatpossiblynegligibleby thecompany.Someadditionutilities/stuffand spaces must be reserve to the seafarers onboard. It may give an extra job desk to the company to fulfillcertainlistofrequirement.Alsopossibly consumeextratimeforsailingpreparationthat can be higher than money-cost. Generalaccommodationthatimplytospacesis inordertogivesomereasonableconditionand comfortresultofseafarers.Comforttermis driven tosubjectivejudgmentwhichquantifyin thistitle.Itmeansagoodconditionforthe companytofulfillsuchstandardtoavoid uncertainrequestproposebytheagencyofthe seafarers.Thosestandardscreatesminimum limitationduetoaccommodationspacesthat companycanapplytodesigncertaintemplate for the accommodation spaces design. DIMAS A. F. MUZHOFFAR (4212 101 019)Page 7 of 9 Thesize oftheaccommodationspaces canbea possible space-consume due to the cargo spaces. Itsupplyalsogivesomecontributiontothe powerconsumptionandreservationofauxiliary engine.Surelyitsdriventosomeadditioncost for the company. Theheatingsystemintheaccommodation spacesshouldbeinoperationatalltimes.It possiblybenegativepointandincludein auxiliaryenginepowerconsiderationduetothe accommodationfacilities.Eventheheating systemistomakestheambienttemperatureat satisfactorylevel;intheshipwhichaheating systemisrequired,anextrapowercalculation sheet required either. Food and catering regulation ensure seafarers to getfreeofchargefoodduringthevoyage onboard. Clearly, it is a common stuff during the shipoperation.Obviouslynotanegativesideto thecompany.Itisdriventothebasicneedof seafarers during both work and rest hours. It is required to have onboard cook (ships cooks) toserveadequatefoodsupplyalongthework andresthours.Comespossibilitytohavesome addition cost for recruit cooks and his assist. The extra cost appear due the calculation of required space,freshwater,andamountoffoodsupply onboard. Extra spaces comes due used of storage andhandlingfoodstock.Italsoneedextra power regarding the cooler or the heater. 3.4 Health Protection, Medical Care, Welfare, and Social Security Protection ThefourthtitleofMLCregulatetoensurethe seafarers;healthandaccesstomedicalcare onboard,safetyandhealthworkenvironment onboard,haveaccesstoshorebasedfacilityto secure health, and have access to social security protection. Assurancetoseafarerstogetmedicalattention thatcomparabletoworkersashoreisoneof interestingpointofview.Itiscleartoserve medical attention in certain standard due to the workers.Infact,itisnoteasytocarryallthe standardforapplicable onboardaship.Itsneed improvementduetotheenvironmentalchange withallambientconditiononboard.Besidethe standardequipment,thissubject needqualified andcompetentdoctorwhohascertainmedical marinestandardcertification.Thecostfor medicalattentionpossiblyincreasewhenit comeswithsuchstandard.Itmeansthe increasingofcostconsiderationtofulfillthis regulation. Thereisalevelofmedicaltrainingtobe provided on board ships that are not required to carry medical doctor. It is can be the solution to reducesomecostcausebymedicaldoctor onboard.Thisconditionrequireseafarerscomes withapprovedmedicalfirstaidormedicalcare trainingbySTCW.Atleastoneseafarerswith such qualification and capability onboard a ship. DIMAS A. F. MUZHOFFAR (4212 101 019)Page 8 of 9 Theothercaseiswhenshipcargoisclassified dangerous mustrefertoMedicalFirstAidGuide forUseinAccidentsInvolvingDangerousGoods. Inside that recent regulation include standard of; protectivedevice,medicalprocedure,and integrated policy due to the cargo. The increase oftheriskcannotbenegligibleandmustbe mentionedtotheseafarersonboard.Possibility togetanaccidentisclearlyincreasingdueto thecargothatshipcarrying.Itisobviously related to the medical standard report form. Itsrequiredtomeasures;sickness,injury, hospitalization, or dental care. Thistitlealsogiveguidelinesformedical assistancetoothershipsandinternational cooperation.Itisrefertothedevelopand cooperateduetointernationalseacondition. Theship mustcapabletocoordinaterescueand emergencyservicesifneeded.Itsstandardized inInternationalAeronauticalandMaritime SearchandRescue(IAMSAR)Manual.The standardmadeinpurposetomakeallshipin internationalseainoptimumconditionto providehospitalandrescuefacilities,alsoto arranging personal assistance to other seafarers. Inshipownersliabilitycomesregulationto ensureseafarersprotectedfromtheirfinancial consequences of sickness, injury, and death. The shipownershallbeliabletobearthecostfor seafarerswhoworks on their ship.Itiscommon thing todobystakeholdersdue to thehighrisk onboardashiporevenotherworkfieldwith certain high risk. The consideration will be hard becauseitiscategorizedasunpredictablecost duringthevoyage.Probablywillcostmuch higher than the salary cost to the seafarers. Insubjectofaccidentprevention,thecompany shallensuretheseafarerswithstandardized health and live protection. It is important due to assure zero accident during the voyage. The field implementationissomuchdependtothe companyitself.Thedifferentpointofviewof need and required is hard to state clearly. Since the safety first motto comes to basic need, then thecostwillbenotverycostlyduringthe operation of the such risky condition. Allofthosestandardofhealth,social,and securityprotectionproperlybeabenefittothe company.Thestandardwhichsounds complicated is in purpose to maintain and assure theseafarersincludingtheshipandcargoas well.Itwillbemorelikethecompanyneedto haveanassuranceduetotheshipoperation.If alltheseafarersonboardisinwellandfit condition,thenthereisnodoubttheship operate in safe and secure condition either. The cost-benefitwillbenolongerinminusarea accordingtopointofbenefitcomeswithsuch cost to fulfill this title. DIMAS A. F. MUZHOFFAR (4212 101 019)Page 9 of 9 3.5 Compliance and Enforcement The fifth title of MLC aim to ensure the members implementsitsresponsibilitiesunderthis convention;withrespecttoshipsthatflyits flag,regardinginternationalcooperationin implementation,andaspertainingtoseafarer recruitment and placement. The company which comply to the convention is inresponsibletoensureimplementationofthe regulationthatrequired.Itmeansincludethe labourcertificationandconditioninallaspect, alsoworkandresthoursregulation.Inspection shallhappenintheroutineofregulation implementation.Theobjectivesof implementationshallbecleartoprovidean adequate administration requirement. Allpaperworkofadministrationisnecessaryto berecognizeinschedule.Recognizeprocess providebycompetentauthorityasmentionin conventionmeeting.Itmeansalltheworkand movementmustbeinsomekindrecordwhich mustandalwaysthroughstandardmonitoring routine. Comes possibility of crowded paperwork inworkhours.Thepeakconditionwouldbein operationconditiononboardaship.Itcouldbe anextrajobduetotheseafarersand managementside.Allthepaperworkshall compile in annual report which will published by competent authority of each company in respect of its flag. 3.6 Conclusion Refertohellenicshippingnews.com(2013)the conventionappliestoallseafarers,definedas anyone who is employed, is engaged or works in anycapacityonboardashiptowhichthe conventionapplies.Theremaybesituationsin whichitisunclearwhetheranemployeeisa seafarer.Thisisthecasefordockworkers temporarilyemployedonavesselinportand licensedpilots.Whilemostjurisdictionstendto excludethem,furtherclarificationisexpected from Argentine legislation in this regard. Point of viewincertainplacesdriventodecideisthe MLCablessingoracursetomaritime stakeholders. References Basic Facts on the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (no date) Available at: http://www.ilo.org/global/standards/maritime-labour-convention/what-it-does/WCMS_219665/lang--en/index.htm/(Accessed: 25 April 2015). Maritime Labour Convention (no date) Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/maritime_labour_convention/ (Accessed: 25 April 2015). Maritime Labour Convention set to come into force (no date) Available at: http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/maritime-labour-convention-set-to-come-into-force/ (Accessed: 25 April 2015). The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly - Ownership (no date) Available at: http://www.superyachttimes.com/editorial/10/article/id/6548/(Accessed: 25 April 2015).