Nautilus Federation statement on failure of social dialogue
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Minimum Wage for Seafarers is a long-established safety net
that seeks to ensure that seafarers worldwide are not exploited, by establishing a global floor and by
contributing to the goal of decent work.
The current Seafarers Minimum Wage (a basic rate monthly salary for an Able Seafarer, or AB) was agreed
in 2018 to be US$641 with effect from 1st January 2021. At the most recent discussions hosted by the ILO, a
report was presented which established that US$641 needed to be increased to US$683 to allow seafarers
wages to keep up with inflation and currency movements.
A rise to the basic wage from US$641 to US$683 represents the equivalent of US$1.40 per day - less than
the price of a cup of coffee in any major capital city, but a monthly sum that could have a positive impact
on the lives of seafarers.
Since the 2018 negotiations, the world has experienced the Covid-19 pandemic. Alongside the global health
crisis, seafarers have faced the Crew Change Crisis - one of the toughest periods ever for seafarers in living
memory. Many thousands of seafarers have faced periods onboard their vessels far in excess of the
maximum duration of 11 months described by the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 as amended.
Conversely many thousands have been unable to join their vessels and have had to survive without any
income
Despite this fact, and despite the warm words offered by shipowners throughout the pandemic, shipowners
have failed to agree a raise to the ILO Minimum Wage that would have recognised the efforts of seafarers.
Instead, shipowners proposed a real-terms pay cut to seafarers. In so doing, they determined that seafarers
do not deserve US$1.40 extra per day.
The undersigned Nautilus Federation affiliates believe that seafarers are overdue a pay rise, especially while
the world is still facing Covid-19 challenges. This is particularly true when the shipping industry is reporting
a surge in demand, when dividends have been paid to shareholders, and when seafarers have borne the
brunt of keeping the shipping industry moving and the world supplied with over 90% of everything we
consume - including vaccinations and medical supplies.
We hereby declare that we support the ITF in their demands that shipowners respect the ILO mechanism
and unilaterally impose a new minimum monthly basic wage rate from 1st January 2022, in line with the
figure established by the ILO Office report of US$683.
We will further urge the ITF to formally advise the ILO Governing Body accordingly of the revised rate.
As Nautilus Federation affiliates, we are pleased to see that the International Transport Workers’ Federation
is keeping their door open for future discussions and to provide seafarers with a rise to the ILO Minimum
Wage that will truly recognises their extraordinary efforts during the past 14 months. We encourage good
shipowners to adequately recognise seafarers for their efforts and we stand ready to support ITF actions in
furthering this matter.
Nautilus Federation
6th May 2021