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Ministries of Social Affairs and Transport Discuss Draft of Yemen’s Accession to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)
Aug 21, 2025
A joint meeting was held at the Ministry of Transport headquarters in the capital Aden, chaired by H.E. Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Zaouri, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, and H.E. Dr. Abdul-Salam Saleh Humaid, Minister of Transport, with the participation of specialists from both ministries. The meeting discussed the draft of Yemen’s accession to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
During the meeting, both ministers emphasized the importance of Yemen’s ratification of this international convention, as it would strengthen the rights of Yemeni seafarers and ship crews flying the national flag, as well as safeguard the rights of foreign seafarers when their vessels dock at national ports. They affirmed that the convention would also facilitate the work of maritime inspectors at the General Authority for Maritime Affairs, in coordination with legal experts from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, to ensure a maritime working environment that complies with international standards and prevents violations.
After a thorough review of the convention’s provisions, the meeting approved the final draft in preparation for submission to the Council of Ministers for endorsement. The ministers further stressed the importance of holding regular meetings between the two ministries and other relevant entities to coordinate implementation mechanisms once the convention is officially adopted.
It is worth noting that the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006), issued by the International Labour Organization, is globally recognized as the “Seafarers’ Bill of Rights.” It constitutes the fourth legal pillar of the international maritime regulatory regime, alongside conventions on safety, security, and marine environmental protection (SOLAS – MARPOL – STCW). The convention aims to establish uniform standards ensuring decent working and living conditions for seafarers, covering areas such as minimum age, employment agreements, hours of work and rest, wages, leave entitlements, health care, nutrition, accommodation, and the handling of seafarers’ complaints.
Since its adoption at the International Labour Conference in 2006, the convention has been ratified by countries representing more than half of the world’s seafarers and over three-quarters of the total gross tonnage of the global commercial fleet, underscoring its importance as a fundamental standard for seafarers’ rights and the enhancement of maritime labour efficiency.
The meeting was attended by Ahmed Hammoud, Acting Deputy Minister for the Labour Force Sector, and Dr. Fidel Mandzouq, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister for Labour
