The raise of basic wage for an AB

Over the next  three years the minimum wage rate  for an AB (a pay for work not exceeding  48 hours per week) will be increased by USD27 or 4,5% on the current level of USD614 recommended by the ILO. This agreement was negotiated some days ago in Geneva  during the meeting of the Joint Maritime Commission's subcommittee, where the International Transport Workers’ Federation represented the interests of seafarers and the International Chamber of Shipping acted on behalf of the shipowners. 

The agreed wage raise will be made in stages: an increase of USD4 as of 1 July 2019, an increase of USD7 as of 1 January 2020 and a final increase of USD16 as of 1 January 2021. So, by this time   it will totaled USD641.

-The decision to increase the basic pay was taken on the basis of  consumer price index changes and the impact of the USD fluctuation in other countries, - said Yury Sukhorukov, the SUR Chairman, who sat in the subcommittee.

Earlier, trade unions intended to achieve a USD50 rise in minimum wage rate, as in 90% of maritime manpower supply countries  the actual value  of seafarers'  salaries had dropped a lot, sometimes more than by 15%. However, shipowners strongly had opposed that proposal.

-This was a difficult negotiation. There was strong opposition from the shipowners side for a significant increase. However, I am pleased that at the end pragmatism and common sense prevailed and the social partners worked their way forward to recognise the fundamental role seafarers play within the industry, -  noted Mark Dickinson, the general secretary of  «Nautilus International», the head of the trade unions' delegation at the negotiations.

-This decision is a good news for seafarers. It is remarkable that notwithstanding the ongoing economic downturn the trade unions were able to achieve the wage increase for crews, and thus to improve living standards for thousands seafarers. 

 Reference: The Joint Maritime Commission established in 1920, it is the only permanent  bilaterial  body of the ILO. It consists of the Chairman, two members of the managerial body (one is an employee,  the other is an employer), 20 representatives of shipowners, 20 representatives of seafarers, 4 delegates on the part of shipowners and 4 delegates on the part of seafarers.  The Subcommittee  on seafarers wages was set up at the 280th Session of ILO Governing Body in March 2001. It meets to update basic wage  for ratings. The SUR is the member of the Subcommittee.

 Source: ITF and Nautilus International