Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis emphasized the critical importance of seafarer protection for ensuring safe, sustainable, and competitive shipping practices. Speaking at a three-day maritime program in Athens, she underscored the need to address seafarers’ rights, the social responsibilities of shipping, and the competitiveness of the European fleet, particularly in light of significant changes impacting the global shipping industry.
During the event, which celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), Hadjimanolis highlighted the convention’s role as a foundational international framework for safeguarding seafarers’ rights. Adopted in Geneva on February 23, 2006, the MLC establishes minimum standards for various aspects of seafarers’ working and living conditions, including medical care and social protection. Cyprus was actively involved in the convention’s negotiations and became the 29th country and the ninth EU member state to ratify it in 2012.
Hadjimanolis noted that the MLC should be regarded as a dynamic framework that must adapt to the evolving shipping sector, which is influenced by technological advancements, stringent environmental regulations, and shifting workforce demands. She stressed that the protection of seafarers is not merely a legal obligation but a fundamental aspect of fostering a humane and competitive shipping environment. Cyprus has integrated the MLC into its national legislation, ensuring compliance as both a flag state and port state while promoting social dialogue with employers and seafarer representatives.
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