Under MLC 2006, what are the minimum requirements to work at sea, the conditions of employment, and how is the Convention enforced?
Short answer
| Title | What it secures |
|---|---|
| 1 Minimum requirements | age 16, a medical certificate, training and qualifications, regulated recruitment free of charge |
| 2 Conditions of employment | the agreement, wages, hours (work 14 and 72 or rest 10 and 77), leave, repatriation, compensation, manning, career development |
| 5 Compliance and enforcement | flag inspection and certification (certificate and DMLC), port State control, labour-supplying duties, complaint procedures |
- Title 1: minimum age 16, under 18 no night or hazardous work (1.1); a valid medical certificate (1.2); training and qualifications with STCW (1.3); regulated recruitment free of charge (1.4).
- Title 2: a signed employment agreement (2.1); wages regularly and in full (2.2); work at most 14 h in 24 and 72 in 7 days, or rest at least 10 and 77 (2.3); paid leave (2.4); repatriation with financial security (2.5); compensation for the ship’s loss (2.6); manning (2.7); career development (2.8).
- Title 5, flag State (5.1): inspection and certification (A5.1.1); ships of 500 GT or more carry a Maritime Labour Certificate and DMLC, Part I by the flag, Part II by the shipowner (A5.1.3); on-board complaints (A5.1.5).
- Port State (5.2), labour-supplying States (5.3): certificate and DMLC as prima facie evidence, more detailed inspection on clear grounds, detention; onshore complaints; recruitment regulated, social protection.
- India: MS Act 2025 and the Maritime Labour Rules 2016 (rule 4 age, rule 8 hours, rule 24 certification); DGMA issues the certificate and DMLC.
Full answer
The full answer explains each point step by step, with the regulations and figures behind it and the discussion from other candidates. It is in the MEO Class I section of the Marine One forum, open to members enrolled for the MEO Class I exam.