The Liberian Registry has launched an online Maritime Labour Complaint Resolution Form for seafarers, ahead of the entry into force of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 on 20 August, 2013.

Liberia has stated it is committed to ensuring seafarers who serve on Liberian-flag ships have decent working and living conditions, a safe and secure workplace and fair employment. It added that seafarers will be encouraged to use the ship’s onboard complaint procedures to resolve complaints at the earliest possible opportunity in accordance with MLC 2006.

However, in the event that a complaint is unable to be resolved onboard, Liberia has provided the online Maritime Labour Complaint Resolution Form to help seafarers resolve all genuine and valid complaints.

Seafarers can utilise the online form to lodge a general complaint affecting specific working or living conditions onboard the ship, or a complaint relating to a single seafarer. The Liberian Administration will take all necessary steps to investigate complaints and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to rectify any deficiencies. All information provided to the Administration will be treated as strictly confidential.

Scott Bergeron, CEO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, said: “Liberia was the first country to ratify MLC 2006, and intends to do everything in its power to ensure that it is properly enforced. This is not just a tick-box exercise. If effectively implemented, MLC 2006 will improve and standardize working conditions for seafarers and shipowners alike.

“Liberia’s online Maritime Labour Complaints Resolution Form is a way of ensuring that seafarers on Liberian-flag ships have all possible resources available to them for reporting any genuine grievances to those who have the authority to resolve such matters in accordance with the letter and spirit of MLC 2006.”