Under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (‘MLC’):
- A seafarer has the right to be given opportunities to strengthen his competencies, qualifications and employment opportunities.
- Governments with seafarers domiciled in their territory should have national policies to promote maritime employment, encourage career and skill development and greater employment opportunities for such seafarers.
- There should be opportunities, both ashore and on board the ship, for further training and education to provide a seafarer with continuously developing skills and transferable skills to improve his continued employability and to keep him up to date with changing technology and labour market conditions.
- A seafarer’s absence from work to attend an approved training course should be counted as part of the period of service.