Nicosia: People must remain at the heart of shipping as the sector continues to pursue growth, safety, and competitiveness, Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis said in Athens at an event marking 20 years since the adoption of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
According to Cyprus News Agency, Hadjimanolis addressed a symposium marking the 20th anniversary of the MLC on behalf of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, noting that the international community adopted the Maritime Labour Convention in Geneva on February 23, 2006. She emphasized that the MLC had become the fourth pillar of the international maritime regulatory framework, alongside the SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW conventions, setting minimum international standards for seafarers' working and living conditions, medical care, social protection, repatriation, and other aspects of their welfare.
Hadjimanolis noted that Cyprus had been part of this effort from the beginning, participating actively and constructively in years of tripartite negotiations leading to the adoption of the Convention. She reiterated Cyprus's consistent support for the creation of a global, unified, and effective framework to protect seafarers' rights.
As one of the world's largest ship registries and a major international ship management center, Hadjimanolis explained that Cyprus had fully incorporated the MLC provisions into its national legislation and ensured their implementation both as a flag state and a port state. She highlighted that Cyprus had mechanisms in place for effective complaint handling, with social dialogue with all stakeholders remaining a key element of the country's shipping policy.
Hadjimanolis emphasized that despite changes in the shipping industry, the focus on people remained constant. She highlighted the close cooperation between Cyprus and Greece in the maritime sector, stating that Cyprus' Deputy Ministry of Shipping and Greece's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy worked closely together and coordinated their efforts at both European and international levels. Their common objective, she noted, was to strengthen the competitiveness of European shipping while protecting and empowering seafarers.
She extended her gratitude to Greek Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister Vassilis Kikilias for their cooperation and the ongoing communication and coordination between the two countries. Hadjimanolis also mentioned that this relationship of trust extended to cooperation with seafarers' unions.