Under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (‘MLC’):
- A seafarer does not have a minimum wage. However, a country that has ratified the MLC is encouraged to consult shipowner and seafarer organisations, and to establish procedures for determining minimum wages for seafarers.
- It is also recommended that the basic pay or wages for a calendar month for an able seafarer should be no less than the amount set from time to time by the Joint Maritime Commission or another body authorised by the International Labour Organisation.
- The current minimum monthly basic wage figure for able seafarers is:
- From 1 January 2014: USD585
- From 1 January 2015: USD592
- From 1 January 2016: USD614
- A seafarer has the right to be paid for his work regularly and in full accordance with his employment agreement.
- A seafarer has the right to be paid at least monthly, and in accordance with any applicable collective agreement.
- Seafarers must be given a monthly account of the payments due and amounts paid, including wages, additional payments, rate of exchange and any authorised deductions (such as allotments).
- Seafarers must be provided with a means to transmit all or part of their earnings to their families or dependants or legal beneficiaries. Any charge for such service must be reasonable in amount and the exchange rate must not be unfavourable.
