MLC 2006 gives you legal protection on wages, hours, safety, bullying, repatriation, and medical care. Most seafarers don't know what they're entitled to. This guide changes that.
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The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 is the "bill of rights" for seafarers. India ratified it in 2013. Every Indian seafarer on an internationally trading vessel is covered.
You must receive a signed Seafarers' Employment Agreement before joining any vessel. Verbal contracts are not enforceable. Keep a copy yourself — do not surrender the original.
ITF/ILO sets minimum monthly wages. The company cannot pay below this. Any clause in the contract waiving MLC minimum wages is null and void.
Maximum 14 hours work in any 24-hour period. Maximum 72 hours in any 7-day period. Violations are reportable to flag state and port state control.
The shipowner pays your return home at contract end. You cannot be asked to pay in advance. Abandonment triggers flag state intervention.
Medical care on board is at the shipowner's expense. This extends to shore-based treatment for illness or injury caused by the employment.
Harassment and bullying are OSH violations under MLC 2006 and the ISM Code. Retaliation against complainants is prohibited. You can report to DGS.
Wage theft is one of the most common violations. You have a legal process. Use it.
Send formal written demand (email) to Master AND company DPA. State the exact amount owed, reference contract clause, set 7-day response deadline. Keep a copy.
Call or email DGS: 9004048406 / secy-dgs@nic.in. DGS has authority to investigate and enforce MLC 2006 wage compliance for Indian seafarers.
ITF Inspectors can board vessels and take action on behalf of seafarers. Find nearest inspector: itfglobal.org/ITF/iportal/en/inspectors. Highly effective.
Contact the flag state maritime authority directly. Flag state has statutory duty to enforce MLC 2006 on ships flying their flag.
For amounts above ₹1 lakh, a maritime lawyer specialising in Indian seafarer cases is warranted. Many work on contingency for wage theft cases.
STCW and MLC 2006 both apply. Falsifying rest hour records is a criminal offence.
Rest hour falsification is a criminal offence under STCW. If you are told to sign false rest hour records, you have the right to refuse. Report to port state control during the next port call.
It is illegal. It has a reporting process. Your career will not be destroyed for using it.
You cannot be stranded. MLC 2006 Regulation 2.5 is clear.
Free medical care is a right, not a benefit. Know when and how to claim it.
The Master is the ship's medical officer if no doctor on board. Medical supplies must meet MLC 2006 standards. All costs are the shipowner's responsibility.
For illness or injury requiring shore hospital treatment, the company must arrange and pay. This applies throughout the contract and for illness caused by employment.
If unfit for work due to illness or injury during the contract, you are entitled to sick wages for a minimum of 16 weeks under MLC 2006.
If you are too ill to continue the contract, you have the right to be repatriated home at the company's cost with medical escort if required.
Saved to your phone before every contract. No excuses.
DGS India Grievance
9004048406
24/7 · India · Wages, contracts, safety
ISWAN (International)
+44 20 7323 2737
24hr · Confidential · Maritime-trained
Sailor Success / Chief
+91 99581 10235
WhatsApp · Confidential · Immediate
NUSI India
022-22695471
National Union of Seafarers India
ITF Global
itfglobal.org
Find nearest inspector at port
DGS Email
secy-dgs@nic.in
Written complaints — India
36 articles — contracts, wages, bullying, repatriation, MLC, safety
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⏱ 10 minUnpaid wages, bullying complaint, contract dispute, repatriation refusal — SailorGPT gives you the exact steps for your specific situation.