The International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention 2006 comes into force on 20 August, when it will replace 40 existing conventions and 29 regulations. Its aim is to provide seafarers with fair terms of employment and guarantee them safe, secure and decent living and working conditions on board ship, ILO says

Once the Convention is in force all ships which trade internationally must meet its requirements, whether their flag States have ratified it or not, ships will be subject to inspection. Inspectors’ powers are the same as those under ISM or MARPOL, including the power to detain ships that do not comply.

The Convention is comprehensive and sets out, in one place, seafarers' rights to decent working conditions. It covers almost every aspect of their work and life on board including:

minimum age

seafarers’ employment agreements

hours of work or rest

payment of wages

paid annual leave

repatriation at the end of contract

onboard medical care

the use of licensed private recruitment and placement services

accommodation, food and catering

health and safety protection and accident prevention and

seafarers’ complaint handling