Labour Supplying Responsibilities Under the MLC

Seafarers’ recruitment and placement services (SRPSs) are an essential part of the functioning of the international maritime labour market. Manning agencies and crewing companies, as subsidiaries of shipping companies or ship management companies or as independent entities, are responsible for selecting and recruiting seafarers and are, more or less, directly involved in the employment of seafarers. Therefore, the Member States’ responsibility for the operation of SRPSs in their territory is also addressed in the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). Article 2 (1) (h) of the MLC defines seafarer recruitment and placement services as: