Developing Thai Laws to Protect Seafarers Working on Cruise Ships to Eliminate Shipboard Harassment and Bullying According to The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

Abstract

The Maritime Labour Act B.E. 2558 (2015; The Act) of Thailand protects seafarers working on cruise ships and seagoing vessels, setting labor and protective standards. Its provisions were established to be consistent with the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). This research focuses on eliminating cruise shipboard harassment and bullying. Results were that provisions of the Act had inconsistent or incomplete criteria compared to MLC, 2006. The latter presents different legal issues, including lack of legal provisions on certain issues, outdated legal provisions, or non-compliance with international standards. These include inconsistent related subordinate laws not covered by MLC, 2006 criteria. These findings suggest that provisions should be amended to cohere with, and cover, MLC, 2006 criteria, such as addressing complaint procedures on cruise ships and eliminating shipboard harassment and bullying. Amending the Act provisions and related subordinate laws to be consistently comprehensive in accordance with MLC, 2006 criteria would benefit cruise ship seafarers by promoting and protecting their rights, especially in eliminating shipboard harassment and bullying while performing international duties as well as improving overall economic development of Thailand in future.