SIBU: The welfare of more than 50,000 Malaysian seafarers will be better protected when the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) come into force on Aug 20 this year.
Marine Department’s principal assistant director of Seafarers Development Unit (Seafarers Affairs and Port Division) Captain Sukhbir Singh said this in his presentation during a roadshow here yesterday.
The three-day roadshow was to explain requirements of MLC 2006 to the local shipping industry players.
Sukhbir said Malaysia ratified the convention on Aug 20 last year but the requirements would only be implemented this year.
“The requirement of MLC 2006 is to take care of the welfare of seafarers. It is necessary as we are aspiring to be a maritime nation by 2020.
“In addition, if our ships stop in countries that had adopted the MLC 2006 and if we have not ratified the convention, it will be a very good cause for the country to detain our ships,” he said.
He added until now a total of 58 countries had adopted the convention.
On another matter, he urged the state and Sabah seafarers to form a union.
“So far, there is only the National Union of Seafarers of Peninsular Malaysia but they cannot speak on behalf or represent their counterparts from Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
The roadshow was jointly organised by Sarawak and Sabah Ship Owners Association (SSSOA), Sibu Shipyards Association and Sarawak Shipping Association.
Among those present were SSSOA president Yong Ing Hui and Sibu Shipyards Association honorary secretary Renco Yong.