Seafarers’ wages, working conditions, and avenues for seeking rights vary depending on the legal and contractual regime applicable to the vessel they serve on. There are significant differences, especially between a national-flagged vessel and one covered by an ITF agreement, regarding wage levels, the enforcement of rights, and the collection of unpaid wages. For this reason, a seafarer must first know which wage regime they are subject to. Guidance published by the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) also clearly indicates that wage levels are not solely at the employer’s discretion; on the contrary, this area is governed by international conventions, collective bargaining agreements, and minimum protection standards.
How are seafarer wages determined?
The wages a seafarer receives primarily depend on whether they are serving on a national-flagged vessel or one covered by an ITF agreement. If the vessel is covered by an ITF-approved agreement, the seafarer is entitled to the wages specified in that agreement. This ensures that, especially, the minimum wage, overtime calculation, and certain fringe benefits become more concrete and auditable. According to the ITF, it is extremely important for a seafarer to check whether the vessel is covered by an ITF agreement to protect their own rights.
For this check, the “Look Up / Search” section of the ITF Seafarers website can be used. Additionally, the ITF Seafarers app can be downloaded for free from Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The relevant addresses are as follows:
https://www.itfseafarers.org
https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/look-up
If a ship is nationally flagged, the wage level in this case is often determined by national collective bargaining agreements or through negotiations between social partners representing shipowners and seafarers. If the wage level is not clearly determined in this way, the ITF argues that it should be in accordance with national wage scales. Furthermore, the ITF’s fundamental approach is that no seafarer should be paid below the minimum level recommended by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the basic minimum wage recommended by the ILO?
The International Labour Organization recommends a basic minimum wage level for an able seafarer. The purpose of this recommendation is to create an international safety net and contribute to decent working conditions for seafarers worldwide. The rationale here is that even if different country practices exist, the seafarer should at least have a certain international baseline protection.
In the definition made within this framework, a “seafarer” is considered a person employed or assigned in any capacity on a vessel navigating at sea, and accepted as such by national law, regulation, or collective agreements. However, it is stated that this interpretation should be especially considered in terms of the earnings of a skilled seafarer, and the wages of seafarers at other levels cannot be automatically interpreted in the same way.
According to Guideline B2.4.4 of the MLC, the basic pay or wages for a calendar month of service for a skilled seafarer shall not be less than the amount periodically determined by the Joint Maritime Commission. The Joint Maritime Commission (JMC) is composed of representatives of shipowners and seafarers and was established by the ILO. In meetings held on 14-15 April 2025, it was decided to gradually increase the current basic wage of USD 673. Accordingly, this figure will be raised to USD 690 as of 1 January 2026, to USD 704 as of 1 January 2027, and to USD 715 as of 1 January 2028. These figures are important, especially in demonstrating the minimum wage level. Although these data should not be directly considered a bare wage table to be applied one-to-one in every instance, they constitute a strong reference for the seafarer’s minimum protection standard. According to the international standards conveyed by the ITF, remuneration is not solely about the basic salary. Seafarers’ working hours, right to rest, right to leave, and overtime pay are also integral parts of the remuneration system. In addition to determining the minimum wage for a qualified seafarer, the International Labour Organization has also established principles regarding working hours, leave, rest, and overtime. MLC Guideline B2.2.2 recommends that normal working hours should not exceed 48 hours per week. This corresponds to approximately 208 hours on a monthly basis. Additionally, upper limits for total working hours have also been indicated. Accordingly, either working hours should not exceed 14 hours per day or 72 hours per week , or as an alternative protection, rest hours should be at least 10 hours per day and at least 77 hours per week. This system aims to prevent seafarers from being continuously and indefinitely worked. Regarding overtime, MLC Guideline B2.2.2 again recommends that for each hour of overtime, payment should be made at a rate of at least 1.25 times the basic hourly wage. One of the most important aspects of this is the obligation to keep records. Records of overtime hours must be kept, and these records must be signed by both the seafarer and the master or an authorized officer. One of the biggest problems in practice is that overtime work, despite being actually performed, is not recorded. Therefore, work schedules, watch lists, on-board instructions, and witness statements are of great importance. Leave entitlement is also one of the areas of minimum protection. Accordingly, leave can in no case be less than 2.5 days per calendar month. When calculating the monetary equivalent of this right, a daily basic wage is found by dividing the monthly basic wage by 30. The wage equivalent of the monthly leave entitlement is calculated by multiplying this daily amount by 2.5. Especially since unused leave may be converted into money when the contract ends, leave entitlement should be considered not only a right to rest but also a financial right. As emphasized in official ITF statements, every year crew members on hundreds of ships complain to the ITF because their employers are unwilling or unable to pay their wages. This problem can sometimes affect all crew members on a ship, and sometimes only one or a few seafarers. ITF inspectors recover very large sums of money owed to seafarers every year. It is stated that over 35 million US dollars in wages were recovered in 2022 alone. However, not everyone is equally fortunate. Although many crew members eventually receive their wages, some seafarers never get paid, while others have to wait for months or even years. In practice, some shipowners resort to coercive methods to operate at the lowest possible cost, give promises of future payment, or stall seafarers by paying only a small portion of the accumulated total debt as an advance. Here, fraudulent recruitment agencies are also seen as a significant problem. Such intermediaries can force seafarers to continue working for free or with insufficient pay, and they offer almost no help when payment issues arise. Ships flying flags of convenience are also particularly risky; because on such ships, there is often a much weaker legal bond between the employer and the crew. Non-payment of wages is often not an isolated problem that arises alone. On the contrary, the ITF considers it part of a substandard maritime operation. This is because in an operation that fails to pay wages, suppliers of goods and services are often also not paid, payments are delayed, insufficient funds are allocated for maintenance and repairs, and there is a risk of detention by port state control due to deficiencies on the ship. Therefore, a wage crisis is often a precursor to a larger operational and safety crisis. The ITF strongly advises seafarers to conduct detailed research before accepting an assignment on a ship. First, as much information as possible should be gathered about the ship and the company. In particular, it should be investigated whether problems have occurred on the ship before; checks should be made through maritime social media groups, former crew members, and industry information networks. It is crucial to verify whether the previous crew was paid. If the previous crew did not receive their wages, it is highly probable that the new joiner will also be at a similar risk. In addition, it should be checked whether the crewing agency is registered and reliable. The ITF recommends using a special checking platform for this purpose. The address is as follows: Furthermore, verifying from the outset whether the vessel to be joined is covered by an ITF agreement greatly facilitates the resolution of potential unpaid wage disputes that may arise in the future. One of the most critical issues is the written employment contract. As emphasized by the ITF, it is essential to insist on a written employment contract that clearly states your wages and working conditions. This is a requirement of the MLC and constitutes very important evidence for proving retrospective wage claims later on. The contract must be kept in a safe place. After boarding the ship, you must systematically monitor whether you are receiving your wages regularly. Whether the payment is made via bank transfer, allowance system, or cash on board; a monthly and regular payment method must be ensured. Funds deposited into the bank account should be regularly checked, and if cash payments are made, unnecessary delays should be carefully monitored. One of the biggest risks for seafarers is arrangements where wages accumulate on board and only small advances are paid until the end of the contract. The ITF clearly finds this method risky. Because if things go wrong, the seafarer may be unable to collect a large accumulated debt. It is particularly emphasized that explanations stating “the money is safer with the shipowner” should not be accepted. If wages are significantly delayed, for example, a delay of more than two weeks, the captain should be consulted to find out the reason and when the payment will be made. If a specific payment date is given but not honored, the company may be in serious financial difficulty or may be stalling the seafarer. In this case, the situation of other crew members should be ascertained, and if possible, what is happening on other ships in the same fleet should be investigated. Contacting the ITF regarding how to proceed is often the most appropriate step. Before leaving the ship, all unpaid wages should be collected as much as possible. The aim should be to leave no significant outstanding amount, except for a very small balance. If there has been a wage issue previously, it is much safer to actually receive all the money in cash or via verified transfer before departure, if possible. The ITF’s approach to this issue is clear: do not delay. The MLC stipulates that wages must be paid at least once a month. If wages are not paid, it is much easier to resolve the issue at an early stage. The problem of a seafarer who has not received wages for two months is not the same as that of a seafarer who has not received wages for nine months; as time passes, evidence can scatter, companies may approach bankruptcy, and the likelihood of collection may decrease. In this situation, the first thing to do is to contact the nearest ITF inspector or send an email to the ITF Seafarers’ Support team. The email address that can be used is: Additionally, in more serious situations, such as suspected abandonment, the following address can also be used: When applying to the ITF, as much information and documentation as possible should be provided. Particularly, details such as the ship’s name, flag, IMO number, and type of vessel; a copy of the employment contract; date of joining the vessel; a record of hours worked; the shipowner’s name, country, and contact information; bank statements showing recent payments and periods of non-payment; and all correspondence with the company are extremely valuable evidence in the application. The ITF states that it will do its best to resolve the situation; however, it also explicitly states that it does not guarantee that wages will definitely be paid. This point is important: the ITF is a strong support and pressure mechanism, but it is not a payment fund that guarantees absolute collection in every case. A seafarer experiencing payment issues needs to understand whether they are alone. Therefore, they should talk to their teammates and find out if they also have outstanding wages. It should be investigated how long they have not been paid or if they have received incomplete payments. They should also be asked if they wish to seek their rights or claim compensation together. In practice, acting collectively is generally more effective. When crew members see that others are in the same situation and are taking concrete steps, their fears diminish, and it becomes easier for them to defend their rights. The ITF recommends obtaining advice from local authorities, local ITF inspectors, or union representatives before planning any action. This is because in some countries, local law may result in adverse outcomes for the seafarer if a strike is carried out. In many countries, the right to strike may exist when the ship is in port and not at sea. However, this should not be automatically assumed; the opinion of the local ITF representative should be sought in all cases. An action taken at the wrong time or by the wrong method could weaken, rather than strengthen, the seafarer’s ability to seek redress. Yes, in certain circumstances, unpaid wages can result in a seafarer being considered “abandoned.” Under the Maritime Labour Convention, a shipowner’s failure to pay wages specified in the contract for at least two months is considered one of the three criteria for abandonment. In such a situation, the issue ceases to be merely a wage claim; a more robust protection and intervention mechanism may come into play. If a seafarer believes they have been abandoned, they should urgently seek assistance. For this, an ITF inspector or an ITF-affiliated seafarers’ union can be contacted. Additionally, the ITF Seafarers app or the “Look Up” section of the ITF Seafarers website can be used. The relevant link is: For specific support regarding abandonment, the following email address can also be used: The wage regime for seafarers varies significantly depending on whether the vessel they work on is covered by an ITF agreement. On ITF-covered vessels, seafarers are directly entitled to the wages specified in the contract, whereas on national flag vessels, wages are often determined by national collective agreements or local wage scales. However, the ITF and ILO approach is that no seafarer should fall below the international minimum level of protection. The issue of wages is not limited to just the monthly salary. Working hours, rest periods, leave, overtime pay, and their proper record-keeping are also important parts of a seafarer’s financial rights. Unpaid wages are often an indicator of a larger operational and safety problem. Therefore, it is vital to research the company and the vessel before joining, insist on a written contract, check the regular payment system, and act quickly in case of delays. If wages are not paid, early communication should be established with the ITF, documents should be collected, the situation should be compared with other crew members, and collective action should be taken if necessary. Cases of non-payment exceeding two months require even more careful action, as they may be considered as abandonment. An ITF application is a powerful tool, but it is not sufficient on its own. Particularly in cases of high-value claims, the correct management of the legal process is critically important. At this point: Istanbul seafarer lawyer The process should be managed professionally with the support of a Tuzla seafarer lawyer. 2M Law Firm, specializing in maritime labor law, integrates the ITF process through legal means by: Ship claim lawsuit Provisional attachment It guarantees the collection of receivables through enforcement proceedings. Get professional support without losing your claim. No, they are not invalid. However, since there is no ITF agreement, enforcing these rights may be more difficult. In this case, the provisions of ILO and MLC come into play. Yes. According to ITF, early application is very important. The longer the delay, the harder it becomes to collect. This situation can be considered under “abandonment” and gives rise to stronger rights. No. ITF does not make payments itself, but it ensures that payments are made. Yes, in most cases, identity confidentiality is protected. In this case, there will be an issue with evidence, but proof is possible with witnesses and other documents. Because the legal connection with the employer is weak, and the risk of collection is high. Yes, a collective application yields much stronger results. Yes, this is the most effective method. If the ship is in port, a result can be obtained within a few days; otherwise, the process may take longer.How are working hours, rest periods, and overtime assessed?
How is a seafarer’s leave entitlement calculated?
Why have unpaid wages become a major problem in shipping?
What should you do to reduce the risk of not receiving your wages before joining a ship?
https://www.itfshipbesure.org/What should you pay attention to after boarding the ship?
What should you do if your wages are not paid?
seafsupport@itf.org.uk
abandonment@itf.org.ukWhy is it important to act together with other crew members?
What should be considered regarding strikes or other actions?
Can unpaid wages amount to “abandonment”?
https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/look-up
abandonment@itf.org.ukConclusion
Why Is Expert Lawyer Support Necessary?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. If I work on a ship not covered by ITF, are my rights invalid?
2. My salary is 1 month overdue, should I apply to ITF immediately?
3. What happens if I don’t receive my salary for 2 months?
4. Does ITF guarantee my wages?
5. Can an ITF application be made confidentially?
6. What happens if overtime records are not kept?
7. Why are Flag of Convenience (FOC) vessels risky?
8. Should all crew apply together?
9. Can the case be pursued together with ITF?
10. How long does it take to get a result if I don’t receive my wages?
