BMA team participate in the fourth meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) – Part II (5 to 13 May 2022)

The Bahamas Maritime Authority represented The Bahamas at the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) fourth meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee 340^th Session that was held in person on 05 – 13 May 2022 at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva.  

The BMA team comprising of Isabella Bella Jones, Technical Assistant especially assigned with MLC matters, and Oli Olsen, Deputy Director, Seafarers and Manning, actively participated and led discussions at the Session with collaboration with shipowners’, seafarers’ representatives and member states to ensure an effective outcome.

The Meeting considered 12 proposals to facilitate changes with respect to the ongoing regulatory compliance with the standards stipulated in the Convention. In addition, there was emphasis on member states to ensure that seafarers are maintained as key workers which is a status that The Bahamas is proud to recognise.

The outcome of the meeting being that out of 12 proposals eight were adopted, three fell and one was postponed for discussion at next Special Tripartite Meeting. The BMA will continue to advocate and require fair treatment and standards for seafarers whose invaluable contribution and commitment during the Covid pandemic should no be underestimated.