The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a UN agency dedicated to advancing social justice through international labor standards. Founded in 1919, it is one of the oldest global institutions, created in the aftermath of World War I with the belief that lasting peace can only be built on decent work and fairness.
Its mission – to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment, and enhance protection and dialogue – applies directly to maritime trade and the millions of seafarers who move the world.
Seafarers face long voyages, isolation, and safety risks, often beyond the public eye. The ILO protects them through binding conventions and practical tools.
Key conventions include:
• Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) – Known as the “Seafarers’ Bill of Rights”, this sets minimum working and living standards for crews on ships, including:
• Work in Fishing Convention (C188) – Covers fishers and small crews often excluded from protections.
The ILO develops international labour standards through tripartite negotiation:
Governments, employers, and workers all have an equal voice.
When countries ratify a convention like the MLC, they commit to applying it – with regular port inspections and reports to verify compliance.
This ensures a shared floor of protection across flags, companies, and oceans.
The ILO addresses new challenges like:
• Automation of ports and vessels
• Mental health and isolation
• Digital rights and surveillance
• Green transitions and job displacement
It supports a world where maritime trade respects human beings, not just efficiency.
ILO’s strength lies in its moral authority and slow-building change. It doesn’t command ships, but it quietly reshapes the laws that govern how people live and work.
And in this turning tide of global awareness, the ILO reminds us that progress is not just economic – it is human.
Why is it important for maritime workers – such as seafarers and fishers – to have international labor protections, even when they are far from their home countries?
