IMO Welcomes Amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention: Seafarers Officially Recognised as Key Workers

Seafarers are set to benefit from improved living and working conditions following the adoption of key amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006. These changes reaffirm the international community’s ongoing commitment to ensuring fair treatment, enhancing safety and welfare at sea, and acknowledging the essential role seafarers play in global trade.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), which participated in the Special Tripartite Committee (STC) meeting on the MLC at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva (7–11 April 2025), has welcomed the developments.

Key Amendments Adopted:

  • Protection against violence and harassment on board;

  • Designation and recognition of seafarers as key workers;

  • Stronger rights to shore leave, contributing to seafarers’ health and well-being;

  • Facilitation of repatriation procedures;

  • Requirement for States to cooperate and consider the IMO/ILO Guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident, as well as the newly adopted guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers detained for alleged crimes;

  • Recommendation for vessels to carry up-to-date medical information and guidance available to the person responsible for onboard medical care.

The amendments will now be submitted for approval at the upcoming International Labour Conference, scheduled from 2 to 13 June 2025. If adopted, they are expected to enter into force by December 2027.

Additional Resolutions

Alongside the amendments, the Special Tripartite Committee adopted several key resolutions. Notably relevant to the IMO are:

  • The recommendation to extend the mandate of the joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group (JTWG);

  • The final review and update of the ILO/IMO joint abandonment database;

  • Continued cooperation on matters related to seafarers’ welfare.

This session reaffirmed the strength of tripartite dialogue and multilateral cooperation in delivering meaningful and effective solutions to global challenges in the maritime sector.

📄 Full text of the adopted amendments: www.ilo.org/resource/other/text-amendments-adopted-11-april-2025