[4] The convention entered into force on 20 August 2013, one year after registering 30 ratifications of countries representing over 33 per cent of the world gross tonnage of ships.

Some seafarers criticize the convention, saying that it lacks teeth, does not address real issues, and skirts important seafarer needs such as decent sized cabins, cupboards in cabins, shore leave, and rest hours by including them into Guidelines (List B) of the convention—or worse, by not addressing them at all.

Title 4 consists of 5 regulations about health, liability, medical care, welfare and social security.

Member States should make efforts to take the necessary steps to deposit their instruments of ratification of the Convention with the Director-General of the International Labour Office as soon as possible, preferably before 31 December 2010."

Nearly 1.2 million seafarers are affected by human rights laws, which include regulations on workplace protection, living conditions, employment, health and social security.

While the authors of MLC 2006 called it the fourth pillar of maritime policy, many seafarers themselves and industry bodies saw it as a rather weak convention which did not materially change life at sea.

'[15] After the initial 'force majeure' caused by sudden and indiscriminate border closures, crew change remained a significant issue throughout the pandemic.

Christiaan De Beukelaer argues in the journal Marine Policy that the continued crew change crisis risks eroding the Maritime Labour Convention.