The minimum basic wage for an able seafarer has increased

From January 1, 2025, the minimum basic wage for an able seafarer (payment for work not exceeding 48 hours per week), recommended by the International Labour Organization, has increased to $673. This increase was agreed back in 2022 by the Subcommittee on Wages of Seafarers of the Joint Maritime Commission, which members include seafarers' unions and shipowners.

The agreement on an annual increase in the minimum basic wage for a competent seafarer encourages decent work and employment of ship crew members, safeguards the well-being of seafarers and their families, which is intrinsically linked to economic well-being in general, is acknowledged by the maritime community and is applied worldwide.

We remind you that in 2022, the social partners agreed on an annual increase in the minimum basic pay for an able seafarer, starting from January 1, 2023. Thus, on that date, it was $658; on January 1, 2024 it was $666; as of January 1, 2025 — $673.

— Changes in the consumer price index and the impact of fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate on other countries are factors that influence the decision to increase the base wage, - Yury Sukhorukov,  SUR President, who participated in the work of the Subcommittee, explained earlier. 

The Joint Maritime Commission has existed since 1920, it is the only permanent bilateral body of the International Labor Organization. The Subcommittee on Wages of Seafarers was established at the 280th session of the ILO Governing Body in March 2001. It meets to update the level of the basic wage for an able seafarer. The Seafarers' Union of Russia is a member of the Subcommittee.

By the way, the shipping industry is the only transport sector with an officially recognized minimum wage for seafarers at the international level.

Photo by Daniil Velikov: for the SUR photo contest "I'm/We are key workers."