Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)

Viking Seafarer (as part of the Viking Maritime Group) is an approved MLC Recruitment and Placement Service Provider, accredited by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Below is some helpful advice and useful guidance to assist candidates in being aware of their rights and protection in line with Maritime Labour Convention, MLC 2006.

Viking Crew will prohibit the use of any mechanisms, means or blacklists which are intended to prevent or deter qualified seafarers from gaining employment.  We do not discriminate and welcome applications from all candidates.

Viking Crew will not charge candidates any costs, either direct or indirectly during the placement process.

Any costs such as visas required for travel, and air tickets to travel are covered by the vessel under MLC. If you are asked to cover these costs you, under MLC will be reimbursed once you have commenced employment.

A ship owners’ obligations and the seafarer’s rights are legislated for under the Maritime Labour Convention which consists of 16 articles containing general provisions for seafarer, plus a code of 5 titles:

The 16 provisions for seafarer:

1. Working hours in relation to age
2. Minimum age of seafarer
3. Medical certification
4. Qualification of the seafarer
5. Employment agreements
6. Recruitment of seafarer other than by the vessel owner
7. Work and rest hours
8. Manning levels for the vessel
9. Quality of accommodation
10. Recreational facilities
11. Food and catering
12. Health and safety
13. Accident prevention
14. Onboard medical care
15. Complaints procedure
16. Salary payment

And a code of titles:

1. Minimum requirement for seafarers to work on a vessel
2. Conditions of employment
3. Accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering
4. Health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protection
5. Compliance and enforcement

MLC applies to all commercial seagoing vessels operating in international waters.

It should also be noted that Viking Crew ensure, as far as is practical that the vessel is financially able to fulfil their obligations to you, with applicable insurance and protection in place, providing sufficient cover as per MLC.

Further information and advice on MLC can be read at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mlc-2006-titles-1-to-5-regulations-guidance-and-information

Seafarers Employment Agreement (SEA)

Individual Seafarers Employment Agreements (SEAs) are required to comply with all applicable  laws and regulations and will include terms and conditions of employment as well as any Collective Bargaining Agreement that may apply.  Together these should not be any less favourable than the minimum standards as set out in MLC.

MLC gives the candidate the right of sufficient time to study the content before accepting and signing an SEA with the vessel.  Candidate should also receive a copy of the SEA for their records.

You should be sure that all sections of the SEA are completed correctly and acceptable to you as the seafarer.  The MCA Marine Guidance Note 477 (MGN477) gives advice on what should be legally included in your SEA.

You can find out more here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mgn-477-m-maritime-labour-convention-2006-seafarers-employment-agreements

Your SEA should contain the following minimum details to be MLC compliant:

• Full name, date of birth or age and birthplace of seafarer
• The ship owners name and address
• Start date of the employment agreement and place when it was entered into
• The rank/position the seafarer is to be employer
• The amount of the seafarers’ wages or, where applicable, the formula used to calculate the wages
• The amount of paid annual leave or, where applicable, the formula used to calculate it
• Termination conditions of the agreement including specifying any required minimum notice period (not to be less than 7 days)
• The health and social security protection benefits, to be provided to the seafarer by the ship owner
• The seafarers’ entitlement to repatriation
• Reference to any relevant collective bargaining agreement, and terms and conditions  if applicable
• The appropriate number of hours of work expected in return for the pay and any additional allowances and their circumstances in addition to the consolidated wage

Should you have any complaint or grievance, following placement by Viking Crew you should firstly follow the complaints procedure as outlined onboard the vessel that you are employed on.

If you are unable to remedy with the onboard procedure, please email us at info@vikingcrew.com. Alternatively you can contact the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) by email at mlc@mcga.gov.uk

If you would like to view our MLC Certificate, please contact us by emailing info@vikingcrew.com