Merchant Shipping Bill raises seafarers' minimum age to 16

It aims to improve working and living conditions for seafarers and requires Indian-flagged ships to obtain a Maritime Labour Certificate.

Who it concerns: The Bill affects seafarers (defined as persons employed on sea-going ships, excluding warships and government ships), ship owners/operators of Indian-flagged vessels engaged in commercial activities, and the Central Government and Director-General of Shipping who are responsible for enforcement and certification.

What the bill does

• Defines 'seafarer' and 'Maritime Labour Convention' and inserts new sections 88A and 88B.
• Raises the minimum age for employment on ships from 15 to 16 years and prohibits night work for young persons.
• Mandates that ships of 500 gross tons or more engaged in international voyages must possess a Maritime Labour Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance.
• Requires ship masters to maintain standards for food, drinking water, and catering in accordance with the MLC.
• Increases the penalty for certain offenses from three thousand rupees to three lakh rupees.
• Grants the Central Government power to make rules regarding hours of work, leave, night work periods, and medical facilities.

Also in the document

• The Bill is intended to enable India to ratify the International Labour Organisation's Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.
• It omits Section 110 of the principal Act.
• It specifies that the MLC does not apply to ships engaged in fishing, traditionally built ships like dhows and junks, or warships.