Argentina is the third Latin American country to ratify this convention
The Government of Argentina deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006).
This brings to 59 the total number of ratifications received so far representing approximately 80 per cent of the world gross tonnage of ships. Argentina is the third Latin American country to ratify this landmark Convention, after Panama and Nicaragua. Its merchant fleet totals almost 560, 000 gross tons.
In depositing the instrument of ratification, the Argentinean Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Mr Carlos Tomada, stated: “Maritime labour always deserved a special treatment by the ILO since 1920. Argentina, among the 80 Conventions ratified, also gave special attention to this activity. The importance of this Convention that incorporates and updates other 68 ILO Conventions has been recognized internationally, as it has been accepted by the majority of the international merchant fleet. In Argentina, the ratification of this landmark Convention by the Parliament converts it into one of the 35 laws that have been adopted in the last 11 years to protect work and workers. Both at the personal and institutional level, I am proud that our country is one of the first Latin American countries to deposit the instrument of ratification of this Convention.”
In receiving the instrument, the ILO Director-General, Mr Guy Ryder, stated: “I am delighted to receive the instrument of ratification by Argentina, particularly as Minister Tomada was the person who, as the then Chairperson of the Governing Body, declared open the 94th Session of the International Labour Conference, which was the Tenth Maritime Session. In his opening remarks to the Conference he highlighted the fundamental importance for the further consolidation and enhancement of the development of international labour standards. He described the adoption of the MLC, 2006 as a historic step which provided new tools for its effective implementation. This ratification also provides a major boost to the momentum that has been generated to bring all major players on board in promoting decent work at sea for all seafarers and a level playing field for shipowners. The Office remains prepared to offer every possible assistance to the Government and its social partners as they will be moving from ratification to the effective implementation of the Convention.”
