If you find that your wages have not been paid, do not delay, and contact the nearest ITF inspector or email the ITF Seafarers Support team at seafsupport@itf.org.uk
Situations are easier to resolve if you have not been paid for two months than if you have not been paid for nine months
Make sure you have as much information and evidence to hand. If possible, you should have:
- details of the ship – name, flag, IMO number, type of vessel.
- a copy of your employment contract, detailing what wages you should have been paid.
- details of when you joined the ship.
- details of what hours you have worked.
- details of the shipowner – e.g. name, country, any contact details.
- bank statements showing last payments by the company and showing periods where no payment was received.
- copies of any correspondence with the company.
While the ITF cannot make any guarantees that your wages will be paid we will do everything possible to assist you and resolve the situation
Find out if other colleagues have the same problem
- Talk to your fellow crewmembers and find out if they are also owed wages.
- Find out how long they have been unpaid or underpaid.
- Ask if they are interested in pursuing a claim. It may be easier to do so together.
Once crew members know that others are in the same situation, and are doing something about it, they may feel less nervous about standing up for themselves.
Taking action
Seek local advice before you take any form of action. In some countries the law works against you if you strike. Local ITF Inspectors or union representatives will explain this to you.
In many other countries you have the legal right to strike, if your ship is in port and not at sea. Again, ask the advice of the local ITF representative.
Make sure that the ship you join is covered by an ITF agreement. An ITF agreement makes it easier to resolve any backpay claims. To find out if your ship is covered by an ITF approved agreement go to Look Up.
Insist on a written contract of employment, which sets out your wages and working conditions. This makes any backpay claims much easier to prove