Videotel offers training and support for the ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006

Working closely with the International Maritime Employers' Committee Ltd (IMEC), Videotel has developed a comprehensive package of support and training tools to aid those needing an understanding of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and of their responsibilities under the Convention to ensure compliance. The package includes a dedicated website www.mlc2006.com; a DVD based training programme; and a computer based training (CBT) program.

The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 is the result of several years' work by shipowners and their representative organisations, national governments and seafarers' trade unions working together under the umbrella of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It was adopted in 2006 at a tripartite maritime session of the ILO Labour Conference.

"Shipping companies might not like each and every one of the standards that the Convention sets. But the standards are clear, the companies know what is required and have adequate time to make sure that they, their ship managers and manning agents are in compliance. They know that it will be widely ratified and enforced by flag and port States so their major competitors will also have to comply, port and flag State inspectors must observe the standards, and union officials cannot apply their own interpretations" says David Dearsley, Secretary General of IMEC.

The Videotel/IMEC training package, which has been produced involving a Steering Committee comprising industry experts including ISF, Nautilus and the Bahamas Maritime Authority, provides support for all levels, both on board and on shore. Specific sections are devoted to advice to flag State administrations, port State control bodies, administrations in labour-supply countries, ship masters, shipowners and ship managers, manning agents and, of course, seafarers themselves.

The training package includes self-assessment and computer-based checklists so that those involved can ensure that their understanding of their responsibilities is complete. In addition, if required, users can complete a test of their understanding of their responsibilities and forward the questionnaire to Videotel for marking and, when appropriate, for the issue of a course-completion certificate.

The website, www.mlc2006.com includes:

• A copy of the full Convention;
• Copies of the ILO Guidelines for flag State inspections under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and guidelines for port State control officers carrying out inspections under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006;
• News and expert views;
• A short video introduction to Videotel's training programme on the Convention;
• Details of the content of the CBT program and details of how to take the course online;
• An outline of the DVD based training session for groups of managers and seafarers.

The 25 minute DVD programme provides an outline of the purpose of the Convention, what it contains and how it works. Implementation and enforcement are dealt with in some detail. The programme encourages thought and understanding about what the Convention means for individuals and their roles within their organisations. The DVD also comes with a trainer's guide including a training programme presentation, containing everything that is required to run a two hour training programme, and a guide to the Convention supplied by the ISF (International Shipping Federation).

The CBT training program provides details of what the Convention means for the individual and their particular organisation or role. It is available as CD-Rom or online. The CBT is divided into five sections covering the following categories:

• Shipping company managers;
• Ships' masters;
• Manning agents;
• Port State control inspectors;
• Officials of flag States and labour supply countries.

All users complete the Introduction module and then select the applicable part from four work-specific modules and may then take a test assessing their understanding.

For further details visit www.mlc2006.com

To learn more about Videotel and its extensive range of products, visit http://www.videotel.co.uk.

-ends-