C2.3.d. Does the choice between hours of work and hours of rest lead to any different result in practice?

Paragraph 5(a)(i), of Standard A2.3 of the MLC, 2006 sets a maximum limit on work of 14 hours in any 24-hour period, which results in ten hours of rest (24-14=10). This corresponds to the minimum ten hours of rest required by paragraph 5(b)(i) of the Standard. However, paragraph 5(a)(ii), which sets a maximum limit on work of 72 hours in any seven day period, results in 96 (7×24-72=96) hours of rest, whereas the minimum hours of rest in any seven-day period required by paragraph 5(b)(ii) of the Standard is only 77. The provisions in paragraphs 5(a) and 5(b), of Standard A2.3 are not new, but reproduce the text of the Seafarers’ Hours of Work and the Manning of Ships Convention, 1996 (No. 180). During the preparation of the MLC, 2006 it was recalled that agreement on the various requirements in Convention No. 180 had been achieved only after protracted discussions, and it was decided that it would not be in the interest of the constituents to reopen the negotiations on any provisions agreed in 1996.

Hours of work and hours of rest