The ILO Minimum Wage for Able Seafarers increased to US$568 a month basic wage in January 2013. It then will increase to US$585 in 2014, but with no further revision expected to take effect until at least 2015.
This follows what was effectively a four year deal agreed by the ILO Joint Maritime Commission in 2011, through which ISF sought to provide employers with the stability required during the very difficult economic circumstances currently being experienced.
ISF remains strongly committed to the principle of the ILO Minimum Wage which is now referenced in the ILO MLC. While it is only recommendatory, and is not directly relevant to other seafarer grades, it has a strong moral authority and is particularly important for employers in developing countries.
It should be emphasised that the ILO Minimum Wage is substantially higher than that paid for comparative work ashore in developing countries. Moreover, the actual minimum wage is significantly higher, typically 50% more, once overtime hours (fixed at a minimum of one and a quarter times basic pay) and other mandatory ILO requirements, such as payments for leave entitlements, are taken into account. It is also only a minimum. Most ratings from developing countries receive significantly more, while officers receive substantially more, with differentials between officers from OECD and developing nations continuing to narrow.
Reference & Image Credits: ics-shipping
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