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The Government proposes to introduce new subsidiary legislation under the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Ordinance (the Ordinance) (Cap. 478) to regulate the working and living conditions of seafarers, with a view to implementing requirements under the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention (the Convention).
The working and living conditions to be regulated include the minimum requirements such as age, training and qualifications of seafarers to work on a ship, the conditions of employment such as hours of work and rest, as well as requirements on seafarers' medical and dental care and crew accommodation and recreational facilities.
The proposed new Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Working and Living Conditions) Regulation will cover the majority of the Convention's requirements. The Government will also make consequential and related amendments to 11 pieces of subsidiary regulation and repeal two under the Ordinance.
"Implementation of the Convention's requirements not only helps enhance the working and living conditions of seafarers on board Hong Kong ships, it would also avoid detention of Hong Kong ships by overseas port state control due to the lack of proper maritime labour certificate required under the Convention," a spokesperson for the Transport and Housing Bureau said.
The Panel on Economic Development of the Legislative Council (LegCo), as well as shipowners' and seafarers' organisations have been consulted and support the proposal.
The legislative proposal was gazetted today (May 20) and will be tabled at LegCo for negative vetting on May 25.
Ends/Friday, May 20, 2016
Issued at HKT 11:10
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