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Unpaid wages

If your wages are late or short: keep copies of your SEA, wage account, time sheets, and all correspondence. Contact an ITF inspector in the port you're in (or the next port if your current one has none).

Step-by-step

  1. Keep the original SEA, any wage accounts received, and screenshots of any office correspondence.
  2. Request a formal wage statement from the Master in writing.
  3. Contact the ITF inspector in the next port with inspector coverage (findable at itfseafarers.org/en/contact-us/find-an-itf-inspector).
  4. If the flag state is an ITF Flag of Convenience, the ITF TCC CBA minimum scale applies regardless of the individual SEA.
  5. If the owner refuses to pay, the inspector can arrange a Notice of Intent to Arrest via the port's admiralty court.

Evidence to save

What NOT to sign

Legal basis

MLC 2006, Regulation 2.2. ITF TCC Collective Agreement sets the global minimum wage floor. Flag state can be held financially liable via its MLC financial security.

Primary sources

Related terms

Organisations that can help

Disclaimer. General information only — not legal advice. Rules vary by flag state, port state, vessel type, applicable CBA, and contract. For specific cases, contact ITF, ISWAN, your union, or a maritime lawyer.