The worlds ITF Inspectors have been sounding the alarm!

Sadly loads of decent government and industry types refuse to heed the warning.

Now Danica Crewing Specialist, a pretty reputable ship management firm, have done their Human Rights and Due Dilligence survey.

“The Danica survey revealed that as many as 36% of the respondents, drawn from the worldwide crewing marketplace, claimed their salary was not paid on time – a rise of 7% since 2021 – with 8% saying they did not receive their salary in full.

Worryingly, 23% of seafarers who responded to the Danica survey said they had experienced a shortage of food or drinking water during their recent voyages.”

This is what ITF Inspectors have been sounding the alarm about.

It is long past time that Flag and Port States put their foot down in defense of seafarers.

Recognizing these exploitable workers do not have a voice because they fear for their employment.

It is time for flag and port states to come down on the side of #seafarers instead of enabling substandard and cruel treatment onboard the worlds merchant ships.

Thank you #Danica for this effort to shine a light into the murky cracks of our industry“, - writes Peter Lahay on his Facebook page

 

Survey finds crew employment market has tipped in favour of seafarers

Danica Crewing Specialist has revealed the results of its latest seafarer survey, which clearly show wages for men and women working at sea are on the up.

Sam Chambers

November 21, 2023

https://splash247.com/survey-finds-crew-employment-market-has-tipped-in-favour-of-seafarers/?

Salaries are up by “at least” 10% since the last survey was carried out two years ago with Danica sensing the crew employment market has tipped in favour of seafarers.

Across senior officer ranks salaries have increased some 10-15%, regardless of nationality, compared to results from 2021. Salary figures are particularly strong for the top four ranks on dry cargo vessels.

With a surplus of job offers, seafarers can afford to be picky

Other takeaways from the survey include the interesting news that the wage gap is narrowing between Filipino and Eastern European officers, while Indian senior officers on dry cargo vessels are receiving salaries 10% higher than their Eastern European counterparts.

Salary rise is the most common reason for seafarers switching shipping companies, the survey indicates.

“We are witnessing a wage spiral like we saw leading up to the previous financial crisis. The root cause for these wage increases is the combination of a general shortage of very competent seafarers and a better financial situation for most vessel owners which is making employers more generous with remuneration,” said Henrik Jensen, CEO of Danica Crewing Specialists. “And, with a surplus of job offers, seafarers can afford to be picky.”

Seafarer shortages are more evident in certain ranks. The Danica survey identified bosuns, cooks and fitters as being in high demand, with salaries up 10% as a result, while Ukrainian fitters have had pay increases of up to 30% due to a huge shortage.

In the face of such strong competition for crew, owners must ensure their seafarers are treated well. Yet the Danica survey revealed that as many as 36% of the respondents, drawn from the worldwide crewing marketplace, claimed their salary was not paid on time – a rise of 7% since 2021 – with 8% saying they did not receive their salary in full.

Worryingly, 23% of seafarers who responded to the Danica survey said they had experienced a shortage of food or drinking water during their recent voyages.

The 64,354 seafarers in Danica’s database of applicants were invited to participate in the survey. In total, 6,228 seafarers responded making it one of the broadest surveys of its kind in the industry.