Italy and Samoa are the latest countries to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. This means that 53 countries have now ratified the MLC that came into force in August this year (2013).

Italy is the 52nd ILO Member State, and the 20th member State of the European Union, to ratify the Convention. As many as 1,650 ships representing more than 18 million gross tons are registered under the Italian flag. Italy is among the world's top 20 countries in container liner trade and also among the top three EU countries in containerized imports and exports.

In depositing the instrument of ratification of the MLC, 2006, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Emma Bonino, stated: "Keeping in line with its ancient maritime tradition, Italy is happy to contribute to the improvement of working conditions onboard ships, including with regard to social security coverage of seafarers. Italy will continue to offer full support to the ILO objectives and activities aimed at establishing international labour standards in such a sensitive field."

Samoa joins the other Pacific Island States that have already ratified the Convention, namely, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati and Tuvalu.

Further information is available on the ILO website here.