C1.4.e. What are the shipowners’ responsibilities under Regulation 1.4?

Under the MLC, 2006 shipowners are not required to use seafarer recruitment and placement services and may directly recruit seafarers to work on their ships [see C1.4.c.]. However, where shipowners use a private seafarer recruitment and placement service, they must take steps to ensure that the service is licensed or certified or regulated in accordance with the requirements under Regulation 1.4. This responsibility, which is subject to inspection and also certification, is particularly important where the recruitment and placement service is in a country that has not ratified the MLC, 2006 [see C1.4.f.]. Useful guidance is provided in the section on Regulation 1.4 in Chapter 3 of the Guidelines for flag State inspections under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 ⁴⁶ .

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Recruitment and placement