CLIA Welcomes Entry Into Force Of Maritime Labour Convention

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Cruise Lines International Association

Aug 20, 2013, 10:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced it welcomes the entry into force of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) 2006 Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). The MLC provides further worker protections and rights for crewmembers, providing them specific rights related to all facets of employment, including wages, hours, medical care, annual and shore leave, and room and board.

The cruise industry maintains strict workplace standards set by the ILO and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – both international regulatory bodies. The ILO governs labor conditions, including the standards for hours of work and rest for crew aboard ships, and requires member States to ensure ships comply with applicable international labor conventions and associated national laws. Additionally, all CLIA members must comply with all international regulatory requirements governing the safety, security and fair treatment of seafarers.

"We welcome the entry into force of the MLC and our member lines are committed to fostering safe, professionally rewarding, and enjoyable work environments onboard their ships," said Christine Duffy, President and CEO of CLIA. "CLIA and its members strongly support robust worker protections for crewmembers."

CLIA members have previously adopted and implemented a Shipboard Workplace Code of Conduct that calls for the highest level of business integrity and fair treatment of employees and addresses a wide range of issues that could arise in the ship-board work environment. Under this long-standing policy, among many other provisions to protect seafarers, all ships are to maintain an environment in which crewmembers may express complaints and obtain resolution of those grievances without fear of retaliation or retribution. It is available online here.

About CLIA
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines, travel agents, port authorities and destinations, and various industry business partners before regulatory and legislative policy makers. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holiday vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members. CLIA's Associate Member and Executive Partner programs include the industry's leading providers of supplies and services that help cruise lines provide a safe, environmentally-friendly and enjoyable holiday vacation experience for millions of passengers every year. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org. CLIA can also be followed on the Cruise Lines International Association's Facebook and Twitter fan pages, and CEO Christine Duffy can be followed @CLIACEO and cruising.org/ceoblog.

SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association