CLIA Voices Support for the 2006 Maritime Labor Convention

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), in recognition of the Day of the Seafarer, announced its support for the International Labour Organization’s 2006 Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), which goes into effect in August of this year. Under the MLC, crewmembers enjoy specific rights related to all facets of employment, including wages, hours, medical care, annual and shore leave and room and board. Years ago, CLIA members implemented a Shipboard Workplace Code of Conduct Policy that addressed several of the elements now within the MLC. CLIA also lent its support to efforts being led by the International Shipping Federation (ISF) to facilitate shore leave for seafarers via the International Maritime Organization.

The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF), a charity funded by cruise line members of CLIA, made numerous donations in the past year to seafarer-related organizations. Donations totaling over $65,000 have been given to groups including The Mariners’ Museum, Apostleship of the Sea, Seamen’s Church Institute and Maritime Industries Academy.

The Day of the Seafarer is one of the annual United Nations Observances. It was first established in 2011 as a result of the June 2010 Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, which adopted major revisions to the STCW Convention and Code.

For more information, visit www.cruising.org.