A Dutch foundation is advocating for equal pay for seafarers from the Philippines and Indonesia, asserting they should receive wages comparable to their Dutch colleagues. This call to action comes as the foundation threatens legal action against shipping companies that continue to pay foreign seafarers significantly less due to cost-of-living differences in their home countries. Reports indicate that Filipino and Indonesian seafarers often earn less than half of what their Dutch counterparts make, leading to substantial financial disparities.
The foundation, known as the Equal Justice Equal Pay Foundation, emphasizes that nationality or race should not dictate pay levels, insisting that all seafarers performing identical roles on the same vessels deserve equal compensation. This initiative has gained momentum following remarks from a Dutch equal rights institute, which labeled the current pay practices as “a relic of colonial times.” The foundation is sending letters to approximately 700 shipping firms, demanding an end to what it deems “structural unequal treatment” and seeking compensation for past underpayments.
In response, the Dutch shipping organization KVNR has defended the existing wage structure, arguing that it reflects the varying living costs across countries. KVNR’s director noted that foreign seafarers typically spend their leave in their home countries and would receive Dutch salaries if they relocated. The organization also mentioned that the government is currently evaluating the implications of uniform pay across the maritime sector, which employs a diverse workforce, including 8,608 Filipinos, 5,566 Dutch nationals, and 2,290 Indonesians.
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