The UK government has made amendments to the MLC 2006, aiming to improve seafarer welfare. The amendments include ensuring internet access for seafarers and clarifying requirements for a balanced, nutritious diet. These changes reflect lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and were implemented into UK legislation at the beginning of 2025.
There is a meeting being held by the International Labour Organisation’s Special Tripartite Committee of the MLC in April 2025 to consider further amendments to the MLC, these include provisions to eliminate violence and harassment against seafarers, to further improve repatriation processes, enhanced shore leave, to ensure seafarers are considered as key workers to avoid difficulties so many experienced during COVID-19 and to ensure the fair treatment of seafarers following casualties.
