GENEVA (ILO News) - The 94th (Maritime) Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) opens here on 7 February and will discuss a sweeping new maritime convention that consolidates international law on the working conditions of the world's 1.2 million seafarers. It is without doubt the most far-reaching international Conference on maritime labour issues held since the founding of the ILO in 1919.
The Maritime Labour Conference, which only meets once every 10 years, will take place on 7-23 February 2006 in the Palais des Nations, 8-14 avenue de la Paix, Geneva, Switzerland.
This special session of the ILO's general Conference, devoted to the maritime sector, is to discuss a comprehensive new international labour convention designed to consolidate most of the more than 65 ILO maritime labour Conventions and Recommendations currently in force to set conditions for decent work in the increasingly globalized maritime sector.
The proposed new Convention sets out rights to decent conditions of work for the world's 1.2 million seafarers and covers a wide range of subjects, including health, safety, minimum age, recruitment, hours of work and other vital issues affecting a seafarer's life. The Convention has been designed to become a global instrument known as the "fourth pillar" of the international regulatory regime for quality shipping, complementing the three key conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Here is some basic information for journalists wishing to cover this event (for more details on the ILO Conference programme, please see the ILO website at www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inf/event/maritime/index.htm, the conference preview press release to be published on 3 February and special ILO features relating to the Conference).
The site contains an interactive list of "frequently asked questions" (FAQs), the draft Convention, with detailed commentary on its provisions, and a comprehensive office report outlining the expected impact of the Convention on the maritime sector.
Accreditation. Correspondents wishing to cover the ILC must have an accreditation. Journalists based in Geneva and holding permanent accreditation from the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), Department of Public Information, may cover the Conference without any additional accreditation. Visiting media, or those who do not have UNOG accreditation, should bring a valid photo i.d./press card and register at the International Labour Office (ILO), 4 route des Morillons, Geneva, Room 1-35 (phone: +4122/799-8288 or +4122/799-7943) to receive their passes. Please note, that as last year for the June Conference, accreditation is not possible in the United Nations during the ILC. Those applying for accreditation must be from news or information outlets in press, radio, television or photo.
Media requests. During the Conference, media staff can be reached via the ILO main phone numbers (see below) or by calling +4179/593-1366 or +4179/593-1321.
Access. All tripartite meetings of the ILO are open to the media unless otherwise noted. During debates, correspondents are invited to cover proceedings from special designated media areas. Correspondents who wish to speak to individual delegates or ILO officials are kindly asked to use discretion when entering Conference venues or contact ILO press officers for assistance.
Press conferences, briefings and announcements. Other press conferences and briefings will be announced in the press rooms of the Palais des Nations and via loudspeaker system regarding main documents and press materials, releases, press briefing, and other items of interest to correspondents. Those who wish to be added to the ILO electronic mailing list should send an email to ILO_MEDIA@ilo.org or provide details to an ILO press officer.
Radio. Studio facilities at the ILO can be reserved through the ILO Audiovisual Unit (Béatrice Mann) at tel. +4122/799-6290.
Filming of interviews can be arranged through the ILO Audiovisual Unit (Karen Naets-Sekiguchi, mobile: +4179/332.2579). Filming and videotaping of the ILC is limited to news, documentary and educational coverage of the meetings.
For more information, please contact:
ILO Department of Communication main
numbers:
Tel.: +4122/799-7912;
Fax: +4122/799-8577;
email: communication@ilo.org;
Website: www.ilo.org.
Chief of media service: netter@ilo.org
French desk: perthuis@ilo.org
General queries: rohland@ilo.org
Video/radio:
naets-sekiguchi@ilo.org