Bangladesh likely to ratify by next month

Bangladesh is likely to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 by next month, said Commodore Jobair Ahmad, director general of the Department of Shipping, at a press conference in Chittagong yesterday.
The press conference was organised by owners of sea-going ships at a city hotel.
Jobair Ahmad said both owners of sea-going ships and the government have taken initiatives to ratify the MLC 2006, which comes into force on August 20.
He said although the labour ministry took some time to decide on the MLC 2006 thus delaying the ratification, the Department of Shipping has increased the pace of the process for ratification following requests from vessel owners.
Though the country will not be able to ratify the convention within the timeframe of August 20, Bangladeshi flag careers will not face any problem going on international routes as the shipping department has taken an interim measure to certify vessels which have met requirements complying with the convention, he said.
Captain Meherul Karim, chief executive of SR Shipping Limited, who is engaged in preparing the required procedures on behalf of vessel owners, said out of the total 73 Bangladeshi flag careers, 52 vessels have already applied to Department of Shipping for MLC certification.
The vessel owners have been requesting ratification of the MLC to improve the image of Bangladesh at the international level.
Morshed Murad Ibrahim, member of Bangladesh Ocean Going Ship Owners Association, told the conference that the MLC 2006 would ensure decent working and living conditions of seafarers.