Mandatory MLC 2025 Amendments: New Protections Against Violence and Harassment at Sea
A major regulatory shift is reshaping the maritime sector, and action is required now. The 2025 amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) introduce mandatory, enforceable protections against violence and harassment, aligning fully with ILO Convention No. 190.
Key Changes for Shipowners and Manning Agencies
Zero Tolerance (Standard A4.3): Mandatory elimination of bullying and sexual harassment on board.
Reporting Systems: Implementation of confidential, effective reporting channels is now a legal requirement.
Seafarers’ Rights: Crew members can now file complaints directly with shore-based personnel, bypassing the ship’s master if necessary.
Anti-Retaliation (Standard A5.1.5): Explicit protection for whistleblowers and witnesses.
Recruitment Integration (Regulation 1.4): Manning agencies must embed these protections into recruitment and placement.
The Risk of Non-Compliance
These are not voluntary guidelines. Failure to comply can lead to non-conformities during Port State Control (PSC) audits, resulting in operational delays, legal liabilities, and severe reputational damage.
How GenderGaze Facilitates Compliance
At GENDERGAZE, we bridge the gap between policy and practice. We specialize in Participatory Gender Audits (PGA) using the official ILO-certified methodology.
We help maritime organizations move beyond “paper compliance” to build auditable, effective systems that:
Protect seafarers’ wellbeing.
Mitigate legal and operational risks.
Ensure readiness for MLC inspections.
Compliance is no longer about having a manual; it is about demonstrating effectiveness in practice.
Official Resource: Download the Adopted MLC 2025 Amendments (ILO)
Ensure your organization is ready for the MLC 2025 transition.
From our headquarters in Oslo, we provide the global expertise you need to protect your crew and your operations.
Visit www.gendergaze.com to secure your ILO-certified audit.
Learn more at: www.gendergaze.com
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