Minimum Wage Increase for the Able Seafarer

Maritime Employer representatives, coordinated by the International Shipping Federation (ISF), met with International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) counterparts this week at the International Labor Organization to review the ILO recommended minimum wage for the Able Seafarer. It was agreed that from January 1, 2015, the ILO minimum monthly basic wage for an AB is increased to $592 (USD) and from January 1, 2016, the basic wage is increased to $614.

ISF spokesperson Arthur Bowring led the Shipowner Group in the discussions held on February 26 and 27, 2014 in Geneva. In his opening statement, Bowring reflected that the current figure of $585 came into effect on December 31, 2013 and noted that the purpose of the meeting was to ensure the maintenance of a safety net for seafarers particularly from developing countries. He also referred to publications from UN bodies such as UNCTAD that underlined uncertainty in the global economy and challenges facing world trade and particularly over supply of tonnage in the shipping industry.

Bowring commented, “We believe the decision taken is an appropriate one that gives shipowners adequate notice to be prepared for the impact of agreed changes going forward to 2016.”