Maritime Labour Convention
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) entered into force on 20 August 2013 in Denmark and internationally.
The purpose of the MLC is to ensure all aspects of seafarers' conditions of employment - from the conclusion of employment contracts over the right to repatriation, to occupational health and social security. Seafarers' rights under the MLC have been transposed into Danish law by the act on seafarers' conditions of employment, etc. and by executive orders issued pursuant to this act. You can read more under the overview of regulations.
It is important to note that the MLC applies only to seafarers and not to fishermen.
Read more about the MLC
MLC agreement between ECSA and EFT
In 2008, the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) concluded an agreement on the transposition of the Maritime Labour Convention into EU law. The agreement is attached as an annex to directive 2009/13/EC. Only parts of sections 1 to 4 of the MLC are included in the agreement.
The master must ensure that a copy of the agreement between ECSA and ETF is available to the crew on board. Access to the agreement can be in electronic form, for example as a PDF file or as a direct link.
Read the MLC agreement between ECSA and EFT
Seafarers' rights and obligations
The Danish Maritime Authority has prepared a guide which aims at creating a basic overview of the rights and duties that comes with the employment as a seafarer. The special rules applicable to masters and ship’s officers are not included.
Please contact the Danish Maritime Authority in case of any questions.
Read the guide here (June 2020)
Information to foreign seafarers on Danish ships