Seafarers win right to key worker status

The fifth meeting of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Special Tripartite Committee (STC) established under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) concluded recently with some hard-fought achievements for seafarers. Noteworthy among the amendments adopted was the designation and recognition of seafarers as key workers "... to facilitate their safe movement when travelling in connection with their employment or work, including, but not limited to, access to shore leave, repatriation, crew changes and medical care ashore".