With reference to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, briefly discuss the following:

• Minimum age: no person under 16 may be employed on a ship; no person under 18 may work at night or in hazardous work (with exceptions for training).
• Medical fitness: seafarers must be medically fit to perform their duties, with a valid medical certificate (issued by an approved medical practitioner) confirming fitness.
• Training and qualifications: seafarers must be trained and qualified for their duties (per STCW), and hold the appropriate certificates/endorsements.
• Recruitment and placement: seafarers must be recruited through licensed/regulated recruitment and placement services that comply with the MLC, and must not be charged fees.
• Seafarers' employment agreement (SEA): every seafarer must have a written SEA (see the detailed answer) setting out the terms of employment.

• Wages: seafarers must be paid regularly (at least monthly) and in full, with no unauthorised deductions; the wages must be at least the agreed amount.
• Working hours and rest: limits on working hours (max 14 hours in 24, min 10 hours rest in 24, and at least 77 hours rest in 7 days) and adequate rest periods.
• Annual leave: at least 2.5 calendar days of paid leave per month of employment.
• Repatriation: the right to repatriation at the shipowner's expense.
• Compensation for loss of the ship: compensation for unemployment if the ship is lost/foundered.
• Manning levels: the ship must be adequately and safely manned.
• Career and skill development: opportunities for training and career development.

• The ship must provide decent accommodation: adequate size, headroom, ventilation, heating, lighting, and sanitary facilities; separate accommodation for men and women; a private or shared cabin with a berth; and facilities for the crew's comfort.
• Recreational facilities: mess rooms, recreation rooms, and facilities for leisure (e.g. a library, games, and where appropriate a gym), and access to communication (e.g. internet/phone) as far as practicable.
• Food and catering: the ship must provide adequate food and drinking water, prepared by qualified catering staff, and the food must be of good quality and quantity.
• The accommodation and facilities must meet the MLC standards and be inspected (the DMLC Part II and the MLC certificate).

• Medical care: seafarers have the right to medical care on board and ashore, with a medical chest, and the means to obtain medical advice (e.g. telemedicine).
• Occupational safety and health: a safe and healthy workplace, with an OSH policy, risk assessment, and accident prevention (see the detailed answer).
• Welfare: access to welfare facilities ashore and on board, and the right to shore leave.
• Social security: seafarers are entitled to social security protection (medical care, sickness, unemployment, old age, employment injury, etc.), provided by the flag State's scheme or by the shipowner's insurance (see the detailed answer).
• These protections are enforced through the flag State (MLC certificate/DMLC) and port State control.