Dutch shipping companies are facing scrutiny following a significant claim from the Equal Justice Equal Pay Foundation, which accuses them of underpaying foreign seafarers, particularly from the Philippines and Indonesia. The foundation has garnered support from over 13,000 individuals and has threatened legal action if the issue is not addressed within three weeks. They argue that these crew members are compensated based on the living costs in their home countries, resulting in wages that are often less than half of what their Dutch counterparts earn.
The foundation has reached out to around 700 Dutch shipping firms, demanding an end to what it describes as “structural unequal treatment” and seeking compensation for years of perceived underpayment. This initiative follows two non-binding rulings from the Human Rights Board, which questioned the justification for linking pay to a seafarer’s country of residence. In response, the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) has rejected these claims, expressing concern that altering the pay structure could negatively impact the competitiveness of Dutch shipping on a global scale.
KVNR director Annet Koster highlighted that foreign seafarers typically spend their leave in their home countries, thus their salaries reflect local living costs. The association maintains that the current system has been a longstanding practice within the maritime industry and is overseen by the International Labour Organisation. Meanwhile, the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management has initiated a study to assess the potential impact of abolishing the residence-based wage principle on the maritime sector.
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