Recent developments in seafarer employment include the introduction of a new global minimum wage and amendments to the UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill. Following negotiations in Geneva, the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers’ Federation announced a minimum wage increase for seafarers, starting at $690 per month in January 2026, rising to $715 by January 2028. This new wage structure reflects a more robust global bargaining framework and will be submitted for approval to the International Labour Organisation in November.
In parallel, significant revisions to the Employment Rights Bill, published in October 2024, aim to enhance seafarers’ employment rights. Key reforms focus on collective redundancies, requiring employers to notify the UK Secretary of State about proposed redundancies affecting seafarers, alongside existing notifications to relevant authorities. This change aims to provide better protection during redundancy situations.
Moreover, the Bill proposes to strengthen mandatory employment standards at sea. Amendments will expand the definition of “ship” to include those registered outside the UK and introduce national minimum wage equivalence for non-qualifying seafarers. The government plans to implement these changes by December 2026, with ongoing monitoring and updates from Norton Rose Fulbright.
