Oman has become the 100th country to ratify a 2006 treaty that protects the rights, pay and conditions of seafarers – a milestone that was commemorated on Monday by a ceremony at the headquarters of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva.
The ratification means more than 96 per cent of the world’s gross shipping tonnage is now covered by the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), which also applies to most countries that supply workers for the sector.
The ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, described the development as a milestone. He said Oman, a longstanding maritime nation, has shown the way forward for other countries in the region.
“Indeed, Oman becomes the first member of the Gulf Cooperation Council to join the global efforts to ensure decent work for seafarers and fair competition for shipowners,” he added….