MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman, on Monday, April 11, signed the Maritime Labour Convention for 2006 at celebration of the centenary held at the headquarters of the International Labour Organisation.

The signing was done in the presence of His Excellency Ambassador Idris bin Abdul Rahman Al Khanjari, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations and International Organisations in Geneva and HE Jay Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organisation, and the Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

The Director-General of the organisation opened the celebration ceremony by praising the step taken by the Sultanate of Oman to support of the efforts and objectives of the organisation which provides a global approach to working conditions of seafarers by implementing the standards set by the Convention.

He also stressed that this 100th ratification proves the commitment of countries to decent standards of work and living aboard ships. He also expressed his admiration for the Sultanate of Oman for its active role since its accession to the organisation in 1994.

For his part, the Permanent Representative indicated that the Sultanate of Oman is proud to be the 100th country to ratify the Maritime Labor Convention and the first among the Gulf states. He also stressed Oman’s commitment to the provisions of the Convention in order to protect and support the legal framework for maritime work and achieve decent work for seafarers.

His Excellency also pointed out that the ratification of this agreement is a confirmation of the ancient traditions of the Sultanate of Oman as a prominent maritime country in the region and as one of the first pioneers of maritime navigation.

He also added that the distinguished geographical location of the Sultanate of Oman has contributed to the growth of maritime activity, all because of Omani ports, especially Duqm Port. It will be the largest port in the world and region — these are factors support the maintenance of the maritime framework.

The Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Secretary-General of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) also praised the symbolic position of the Sultanate of Oman as the 100th country in the history of the Convention, and expressed their thanks for supporting the rights of seafarers.

It is noteworthy that the Maritime Labor Convention is an international labor agreement issued by the International Labor Organization and known as the “Charter of the Rights of Seafarers”, and it was adopted by representatives of governments, employers and workers at an international labor conference of the organisation in February 2006.

The Convention defines the rights of seafarers to decent working conditions. It helps create fair competition for ship owners, and for the Sultanate of Oman, this agreement will enter into force on March 29, 2023, a year after its ratification.