Abstract
The ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) is now seen as the fourth pillar of the international regulatory regime for shipping, complementing the key Conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) dealing with safety and security of ships (SOLAS), training, certification and watch-keeping (STCW), and the protection of the marine environment (MARPOL). The structure of the MLC, 2006 and some of the key provisions, while being innovative within the ILO, mirror those found in the IMO Conventions, maintaining regulatory coherence between the four pillars and extending international minimum standards to the social and labour aspects. Central to the four pillars is a requirement for ships to be inspected and carry certificates attesting that they meet the international minimum requirements, that there are no more favourable treatment clauses and that the Conventions can be enforced by port State control. They also have simplified amendment procedures which enable them to be updated to reflect technological developments and changes in the industry. They all place obligations on the shipowners and require the flag State to enforce those obligations. The article examines the provisions of the MLC, 2006 and discusses whether the model could be applied to other industries and for consolidating other ILO Conventions.