MLC Recruitment and Placement 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under MLC 2006 Regulation 1.4, which of the following best describes the primary obligation of member states regarding seafarer recruitment and placement?
- Establish government-run recruitment agencies in every port
- Ensure an efficient, adequate, and accountable system for finding employment without cost to seafarers (Correct answer)
- Require all seafarers to register with the International Labour Organization directly
- Mandate that shipowners conduct all recruitment without third-party agencies
Correct answer: Ensure an efficient, adequate, and accountable system for finding employment without cost to seafarers
Standard A1.4, paragraph 2 requires member states to ensure seafarers have access to an efficient, adequate, and accountable system for finding employment, and that no fees are charged to seafarers.
Question 2: Which MLC 2006 regulation specifically governs the recruitment and placement of seafarers?
- Regulation 1.2
- Regulation 1.3
- Regulation 1.4 (Correct answer)
- Regulation 2.1
Correct answer: Regulation 1.4
Regulation 1.4 and its associated Standard A1.4 cover the recruitment and placement of seafarers under MLC 2006.
Question 3: Under MLC 2006 Standard A1.4, what is the rule regarding fees or charges levied on seafarers by recruitment and placement services?
- Fees are permitted up to one month's wages
- Fees may be charged for specialized skills testing only
- No fees or charges for recruitment or placement shall be borne by seafarers (Correct answer)
- Fees are allowed if agreed in the Seafarer Employment Agreement
Correct answer: No fees or charges for recruitment or placement shall be borne by seafarers
Standard A1.4, paragraph 5(b) explicitly states that no fees or charges for recruitment or placement shall be borne directly or indirectly by the seafarers.
Question 4: Under MLC 2006, private seafarer recruitment and placement services operating in a member state must be:
- Approved by the International Maritime Organization
- Licensed or certified and regularly monitored by the competent authority (Correct answer)
- Jointly owned by trade unions and shipowner associations
- Registered with the flag state of each ship they supply crew to
Correct answer: Licensed or certified and regularly monitored by the competent authority
Standard A1.4, paragraph 2 requires that private recruitment and placement services be licensed or certified and subject to regular monitoring by the competent authority of the member state.
Question 5: If a seafarer is recruited through a placement service in a country that has not ratified MLC 2006, which party remains responsible for ensuring compliance with MLC standards?
- The recruitment and placement service itself
- The port state where the seafarer first embarks
- The shipowner (Correct answer)
- The seafarer's national government
Correct answer: The shipowner
Standard A1.4, paragraph 7 states that shipowners who use recruitment or placement services in non-MLC states shall, to the extent practicable, ensure those services meet MLC requirements, and the shipowner retains ultimate responsibility.
Question 6: Which of the following is explicitly prohibited under MLC 2006 Standard A1.4 with respect to seafarer recruitment practices?
- Advertising vacant positions on international job boards
- Maintaining a blacklist of seafarers that prevents their employment (Correct answer)
- Requiring seafarers to hold STCW certificates before placement
- Conducting interviews prior to the signing of a Seafarer Employment Agreement
Correct answer: Maintaining a blacklist of seafarers that prevents their employment
Standard A1.4, paragraph 5(c)(iii) prohibits the use of mechanisms or blacklists intended to prevent or deter seafarers from gaining employment for which they are otherwise qualified.
Question 7: What must private recruitment and placement services maintain under MLC 2006 Standard A1.4?
- An up-to-date register of all seafarers recruited and placed through their service (Correct answer)
- A minimum fleet of ships to guarantee employment for registered seafarers
- Direct contractual relationships with flag state administrations
- A fund equivalent to six months of all placed seafarers' wages
Correct answer: An up-to-date register of all seafarers recruited and placed through their service
Standard A1.4, paragraph 5(c)(iv) requires private recruitment services to maintain registers of all seafarers recruited or placed through them, kept available for inspection by the competent authority.
MLC Recruitment and Placement 1
Under MLC 2006 Regulation 1.4, which of the following best describes the primary obligation of member states regarding seafarer recruitment and placement?