Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) - United Republic of Tanzania (Ratification: 2019)

The Committee notes the observations of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) received on 1 September 2025.

Article I of the Convention. General questions on application. Implementing measures. The Committee welcomes the Government’s information, in its report, regarding the adoption of the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour) Regulations, 2022 (hereafter “the Regulations”), published on 22 April 2022 through Government Notice No. 228 of 2022, which gives effect to some of the provisions of the Convention in Tanzania mainland. The Committee observes, however, that further measures implementing the requirements of the Convention have yet to be taken to ensure full compliance. The Committee notes with concern the limited progress made regarding several issues of compliance previously raised in relation with the application of the Convention in Zanzibar. It recalls that, in accordance with Article I, each Member which ratifies the Convention undertakes to give full effect to its provisions in order to secure the right of all seafarers to decent employment. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to adopt the necessary measures without further delay to give effect to all the provisions of the Convention, taking into account the matters raised in the request addressed directly to the Government.The Committee recalls that the Government can avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office in this regard.

Regulation 2.5 and Standard A2.5.2(2). Repatriation. Financial security. Abandonment. In relation to the 2014 amendments to the Code of the Convention, the Committee notes that regulations 29 and 30 of the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour) Regulations, 2022, give effect to the requirements of Standard A2.5.2. The Committee, however, notes with concern that ITF refers to the high number of abandonment cases reported to the ILO/IMO Joint Database on Abandonment of Seafarers regarding vessels registered in the United Republic of Tanzania. Such number, according to ITF, is disproportionate to the number of vessels registered in the country. It indicates that, since 2017, 85 cases have been recorded, with a marked increase in cases in recent years. In 2024, 18 of the 30 vessels reported had “unknown” financial security providers and in 2025, 11 out of 26 vessels reported do not have the required financial security. ITF also deplores the number of repeated abandonments, where the same vessel is abandoned more than once, and considers that this shows a clear lack of enforcement and that measures to prevent or address repeated cases are not being undertaken. According to ITF, the large number of abandonment cases is a clear indication that the requirements under Regulations 2.2, 2.5, 3.2 and 4.1 are frequently being breached. ITF adds that many cases of seafarer abandonment include the non-payment of wages for at least two months, with many cases involving non-payment of wages for much longer periods. They also involve the failure of the shipowner to provide repatriation to seafarers, and often the failure to provide the necessities of life such as food, water and fuel to run the necessary systems on board. During these periods on board without pay, seafarers are, therefore, prevented from leaving the vessel but are expected to continue to work in order to maintain maritime safety. According to ITF, these situations are not in conformity with Article III of the MLC, 2006, requiring Member States to satisfy themselves that the provisions of their law and regulations respect, in the context of the Convention, the fundamental rights of seafarers, including the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour. Having examined the number of cases of abandonment reported to the ILO/IMO Database on Abandonment of Seafarers with respect to ships flying the flag of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the provisions of the Convention are given effect both in law and in practice, paying particular attention to Standard A2.5.2.The Committee further requests the Government to provide its comments on the observations submitted by ITF.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

[The Government is asked to reply in full to the present comments in 202 8 .]