12.8 The International Labour Organization
The ILO is one of the oldest inter-governmental agencies now operating under the
United Nations. It was originally set up in 1919. Its principal interest is in maritime
labour problems and in this context it has been involved in developing a broad
range of conventions dealing with working conditions on board ocean-going ships.
These include provisions on manning, hours of work, pensions, vacation, sick pay
and minimum wages. Since crewing costs account for a high proportion of total
ship operating costs, the work of the ILO is of considerable importance in ship
operating economics.
The terms and conditions of employment for seafarers have a direct impact
upon ship operating economics. Since the 1920s the regulatory framework within
which shipowners must operate has steadily expanded. Between 1920 and 1981 a
total of thirty-two maritime labour conventions concerning seafarers were adopted,
in addition to twenty-five maritime labour recommendations. A list of the
conventions is shown in Table 12.6 along with the number of ratifications. The
coverage of the conventions is briefly described in the following paragraphs.