ILO orders seamen to fix minimum salary this year

The 29th ILO (International Labor Organization) JMC meeting was recently held in Geneva, Switzerland. The main topics of discussion included ILO maritime accord integration, the renewal of the minimum salary for ILO seaman, and the impact on seamen's lives and working environment caused by structural changes in maritime industries.

Concerning ILO maritime accord integration, the ILO adopted many agreements on maritime affairs, stemming from problems regarding international influences.

The ILO agreed to integrate these pacts into only one basic agreement to improve those matters. It also resolved to hold a subcommittee once a year to revise the agreement. The final decision will be made through an agreement selection meeting in 2005.

Meanwhile, labor unions insisted on a 4 percent pay increase considering day-to-day productivity index changes, but after the meeting, agreed to keep the current level for just this year. It was also decided to increase the minimum salary to $450 in 2002 and $465 in 2003. For 2004, the salary subcommittee will open in September 2003.