Agreement reached to increase ILO minimum wage for the able seafarer
2014-04-23
Maritime employer representatives, coordinated by the International Shipping Federation (ISF), met with International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) counterparts this week at the International Labour Organization to review the ILO recommended minimum wage for the Able Seafarer.
It was agreed that from 1 January 2015, the ILO minimum monthly basic wage for an AB is increased to US$592 and from 1 January 2016, the basic wage is increased to US$614.
ISF spokesperson Arthur Bowring led the Shipowner Group in the discussions held on 26th and 27th February 2014 in Geneva. In his opening statement, Mr Bowring reflected that the current figure of US$585 came into effect on 31st December 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.
Mr 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.”
