Ukraine has taken another decisive step toward ratifying the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) - a key international standard protecting the rights and welfare of seafarers worldwide - by holding a national round table dedicated to the country's progress toward ratification.
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The event, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in cooperation with the Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and the Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine (MTWTUU), gathered around forty representatives of government institutions, the maritime community, insurance companies, and social partners. Participants reviewed Ukraine's legislative progress, discussed technical aspects of implementation, and outlined next steps toward ratifying the Convention.
The ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) and the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (No. 185) together form the cornerstone of decent work and mobility at sea. The MLC, 2006 - often called the "seafarers' bill of rights" - sets global standards for fair wages, safe working and living conditions, and social protection for all seafarers, while ensuring a level playing field for shipowners. Convention No. 185 complements it by providing secure biometric identity documents that allow seafarers to travel, transit, and work safely across borders. Together, they safeguard the rights, dignity, and mobility of the world's maritime workforce and strengthen fair, transparent governance across the global shipping industry.
Opening the round table, Emmanuel Julien, ILO Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, emphasized the Organization's strong support for Ukraine's efforts to align its maritime labour standards with international norms and ensure decent working conditions for its seafarers.
Ukraine is among the top three countries in the world by the number of highly qualified officers serving on EU-flagged vessels. By ratifying the MLC, 2006, we will show that our state stands behind its seafarers and is committed to protecting their rights wherever they work.
Oleg Grygoriuk, Chairman of the MTWTUU
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From the Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Marko Skral underlined that ratifying both the MLC, 2006 and the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (No. 185) would strengthen Ukraine's maritime governance, enhance social protection, and bring the country closer to fulfilling its obligations under the EU acquis. The Ministry for the Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, which leads the preparatory work, presented recent progress and reaffirmed that alignment with the Convention will not only advance EU integration but also help guarantee safe, fair, and decent working conditions for Ukrainian seafarers.
Maritime law expert Yuriy Sergeyev, Managing Partner at Sergeyev Law Bureau, noted that implementing the MLC, 2006 would modernize Ukraine's legal framework and enhance its reputation as a reliable maritime partner.
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Joining online from Geneva, Beatriz Vacotto, Coordinator of the ILO Maritime Unit, offered detailed guidance on aligning national legislation with the MLC, 2006 and Convention No. 185, highlighting steps to close legal gaps and ensure coherent implementation.
Discussions focused on key technical and policy issues, including shipowner liability, repatriation, social protection, and seafarers' welfare, especially under wartime conditions. Participants agreed that ratifying both Conventions would facilitate international recognition of Ukrainian seafarers' identity documents, simplify border-crossing, and strengthen their global employability. Experts also emphasized that ratification would help secure the portability of social benefits and make Ukraine more attractive to foreign shipowners and insurers by creating a transparent, internationally recognized regulatory framework.
The dialogue helped dispel misconceptions about the MLC, 2006, particularly regarding manning agencies, financial implications, and insurance responsibilities, as participants received first-hand clarifications from Ukrainian and ILO experts.
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The ILO is ready to provide all necessary technical and expert assistance to support Ukraine at every stage of its journey toward ratification.
Sergiy Savchuk, Project Manager at the ILO Country Office for Ukraine
The round table concluded with broad agreement on the importance of continued institutional coordination, social dialogue, and technical cooperation to advance Ukraine's ratification process. The event reaffirmed Ukraine's strong commitment to protecting its seafarers and ensuring their rights, welfare, and dignity at sea wherever they serve.
