Seafarers will receive a 4.5% pay increase over the next two years following the deal with maritime employers represented by the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG). It is reported by the Splash247 portal. Note that the JNG consists of the International Council of Maritime Employers (IMEC), the International Seafarers Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ), the Korean Shipowners Association (KSA) and the Taiwanese carrier Evergreen.
The International Bargaining Forum (IBF), which brings together the seafarers represented by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the JNG, has agreed to an increase on wages and compensations of 3% from January next year and another increase of 1,5% from January 2023.
Trade unions and employers were due to meet in March 2020 to agree on a 2021-2022 wage increase for seafarers, but the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has led to an agreed postponement until September 2021.
“The negotiations were particularly challenging due to the profit variations in the industry, as well as the increased operational costs due to the pandemic. However, both parties acknowledged the need to recognise the sacrifices that seafarers have made during the pandemic, continuing to keep global trade moving whilst unable to return home following the expiry of their contracts, and receiving no wage increase in 2021,” the ITF said.
The IBF Framework Agreement between the ITF and the JNG establishes the conditions and fees for seafarers working aboard vessels flying the flag of an open register designated as the flag of convenience by the ITF.
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