Victory of the trade unions- the basic rate of an AB will increase by $25

In the next three years, the minimum basic rate of an AB (pay for work not exceeding 48 hours per week), recommended by the International Labor Organization, will rise to $ 673. This decision was reached by the subcommittee of the Joint Maritime Commission, whose meeting was held recently in Geneva. The interests of 1.5 million seafarers were represented by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), the employers' side was represented by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). Thus, the social partners agreed to structure the new 3-year deal through annual increases, up to $673, from 1 January 2023 to 1January 2025, as follows:

– $658 as of January 1, 2023;

– $666 as of January 1, 2024;

– $673 as of January 1, 2025.

Recall that during the previous round of negotiations, which ended in September last year, shipowners and trade unions set up a minimum wage of $648 from July 1, 2022. In a joint press release, the parties of the social partnership emphasized that the agreement, which promotes decent work and employment of ship’s crewmembers, ensures the well-being of seafarers and their families, is inextricably linked with economic well-being in general, is widely recognized by the maritime community and is applied everywhere. «In the conditions of the ongoing economic crisis, we managed to achieve a salary increase for the crews, and thereby improve the standard of living of hundreds of thousands of seafarers and their families. The decision to increase the base rate was made in connection with changes in the consumer price index and the impact of the dollar exchange rate on other countries. This step is the realization that seafarers play a key role in the global supply chain, and therefore in the economy. And their well-being is directly related to the level of wages»,-explained the chairman of the SUR Yuriy Sukhorukov, who participated in the work of the subcommittee. Commenting on the outcome of the negotiations, Charles Darr (Swiss Shipowners’ Association), Spokesperson for the shipowners group, said: «The global seafarer workforce is central to the safe and efficient flow of world trade, and they are among the unsung heroes of the pandemic. This new deal is a win-win for both shipowners and seafarers. It strikes a balance between rewarding seafarers for their incredible contributions to the global economy and ensures, at the same time, that shipping companies are able to remain sustainable and commercially viable, in light of the many challenges we are currently facing and those that lie ahead». «Today’s agreement recognizes the huge sacrifices and professionalism of the men and women working at sea and is a testament to the collective milestones the social partnership between seafarers and shipowners have historically achieved. Especially over the past few years. We look forward to continuing to work together alongside our social partners to safeguard financial stability for the world’s seafarers, - mentioned Mark Dickinson (Nautilus International)». We should add that the Joint Maritime Commission has existed since 1920. It is the only permanent bilateral body of the ILO. The Subcommittee on Remuneration of Seafarers was established at the 280th session of the ILO Administrative Council in March 2001.The Subcommittee is entitle to review the basic wage of an Able Seafarer. The Seafarers Union of Russia is a member of the subcommittee. By the way, maritime transport is the only sector with a formally recognized global minimum wage..

Source: ITF/ICS joint press-release