Aims to provide an international safety net for the protection of decent work for seafarers
The internationally agreed minimum wage for seafarers is set to rise by 7.3 per cent between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013. The increase in the International Labour Organization (ILO) minimum basic wage for seafarers was agreed by the ILO’s Joint Maritime Commission Sub-Committee on Wages of Seafarers meeting in Geneva on 26-27 April.
The agreement takes the minimum monthly wage from the present US$545 to US$555 on 1 January 2012, US$568 on 1 January 2013 and to US$585 on 31 December 2013. Consolidated monthly wages, including overtime and annual paid leave, would rise to approximately US$975, US$998 and US$1,028 respectively.
One of the main aims of the minimum basic wage is to provide an international safety net for the protection of decent work for seafarers.
Although an ILO report suggested that the minimum wage should be increased to US$710 a month to maintain purchasing power, shipowners refused to consider such a large increase in the current economic climate.
The ILO Governing Body will be asked to endorse the recommendations at a meeting in November 2011.
Source: ITF
