The Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) is hosting a Tripartite National Workshop on the Effective Implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), from 20th to 23rd October 2026 at the Golden Tulip City Centre Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The workshop is being conducted under the International Labour Organization (ILO) multi-year project titled “Promoting Decent Work in the Maritime Sector,” which aims at promoting decent working conditions and strengthening the protection of seafarers’ rights.

Speaking on behalf of the Director General, Ms. Leticia Mutaki, Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Environment at TASAC, emphasized that decent work in the maritime sector goes beyond providing employment opportunities for seafarers.

“Decent work is about providing employment that respects human dignity, protects fundamental rights, and guarantees fair, safe, and equitable working and living conditions,” she said.

Ms. Mutaki further underscored the importance of collective responsibility in advancing decent work, noting that no single institution or stakeholder can achieve this objective independently. She stressed that the effective implementation of the MLC, 2006, requires shared responsibility, strong institutional coordination, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders in the maritime industry.

Similarly, Ms. Caroline Khamati Mugalla, Director of the ILO Country Office, emphasized the importance of cooperation among the Government, employers, and workers in promoting decent work in the maritime sector. She noted that approximately 80 per cent of international trade is transported by sea, underscoring the vital role seafarers play in facilitating global trade.

Ms. Mugalla highlighted that Tanzania ratified the MLC, 2006, in 2019, and the Convention entered into force for the country in 2020. She noted that effective implementation is now a key priority and urged participants to identify implementation gaps and develop practical measures to improve seafarers’ working and living conditions.

She reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to supporting Tanzania in strengthening labour standards and building a fair, safe, and competitive maritime sector.

The four-day workshop provides an important opportunity for stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the MLC, 2006, identify practical measures to improve compliance, and reinforce their commitment to promoting decent work in the maritime sector.

Through this initiative, TASAC and its partners aim to contribute to a maritime industry that upholds seafarers’ rights, promotes safe and fair working conditions, and supports the sustainable development of maritime transport in Tanzania.