Thailand’s Maritime Labour Committee has reviewed draft rules governing hazardous and permissible work for seafarers under 18.
The committee considered two draft Department of Labour Protection and Welfare notices at its Aug. 10 meeting, according to the Ministry of Labour. One would revise the types of hazardous work prohibited for crew younger than 18, while the other would specify duties younger seafarers may perform without putting their health or well-being at risk.
Thailand already restricts hazardous work for younger seafarers. A 2016 Department of Labour Protection and Welfare notice, issued under the Maritime Labour Act, lists 12 categories of work barred to crew under 18.
The restrictions include work in confined spaces or hazardous atmospheres, certain machinery operations, mooring and towing, electrical maintenance, exposure to hazardous substances, night-watch duties and responsibility for a ship’s boat.
They also limit manual handling above 25 kilograms for male seafarers and 20 kilograms for female seafarers unless suitable mechanical assistance is provided.
The proposed amendment would update that existing framework, while the second draft would clarify duties younger crew may safely perform according to their positions. Monday’s announcement did not include the proposed revised hazardous-work list or a timetable for the draft measures.
The review forms part of Thailand’s implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. Thailand ratified the convention on June 7, 2016, and it entered into force for the country on June 7, 2017. The convention sets 16 as the general minimum age for shipboard employment and requires hazardous work to be prohibited for seafarers under 18.
The committee also considered a draft annual ship-inspection activity report No. 4 for 2025 under the convention and an update to the maritime skills-development subcommittee.
The ministry said the work was aimed at keeping Thailand’s maritime labour protections aligned with international standards while strengthening safeguards for seafarers.