The effectiveness of M.L.C. 2006 as a protective mechanism for seafarers in the Covid-19 era
Master Thesis
Author
Konstantidelis, Sotirios
Κωνσταντιδέλης, Σωτήριος
Date
2021-09-23Advisor
Karakasnaki, MariaΚαρακασνάκη, Μαρία
View/ Open
Keywords
M.L.C. 2006 ; COVID-19 ; Seafarers ; Seafarers’ welfare ; Crew welfare ; M.L.C. provisionsAbstract
The purpose of this dissertation is to familiarize the potential reader with some of the
inner workings of the maritime industry and the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 provisions
indicatively, in order to ascertain whether the Convention is effective at safeguarding the
seafarers’ labour rights and interests, during the covid-19 pandemic era.
The history, aims, purpose and individual provisions of the M.L.C. 2006 are analyzed, granting
solid knowledge background even to an untrained in maritime matters reader. The specific
provisions of the M.L.C. 2006 that were most affected by the onset of the pandemic are furtherly
scrutinized, by examining the changes brought upon to standard maritime practices, investigating
the maritime industry’s response to the problems caused, and providing indications of the results
from the relevant literature.
A plethora of contemporary sources, ranging from academic articles and published scientific
volumes to verified articles published during the covid-19 pandemic era, from news outlets
specialized in the maritime industry, have been reviewed and their findings illustrated, so that the
reader can acquire a holistic view of the subject matter.
The research concluded that many of the Convention’s provisions have managed, through the
effective implementation by the industry’s stakeholders, to perform adequately while others have
exhibited below expectations results, mainly stemming from deeper issues residing in the M.L.C.
2006 that have existed for some time and require actions for improvement, the covid-19
pandemic acting merely as a catalyst for unveiling them.