25 July 2023
Following from the Seafarers’ Wages Act, the government is going further to enhance worker employment and welfare protections with the introduction of the Seafarers’ Charter.
The voluntary charter, backed by DFDS Ferries, Condor Ferries, Brittany Ferries and Stena, will require participants to guarantee minimum levels of protections for employees. For payroll professionals, the key items you will need to be aware of are the requirements to:
- pay seafarers for overtime at a rate of a least 1.25 times the basic hourly rate
- provide employees with a full, indefinite contract
- allow seafarers to receive social security benefits, including sickness benefits, family benefits, and medical care
- provide adequate rest periods between shifts and rosters.
As with any role, careful consideration of working time needs to be given when minimum wage breaches could occur.
The full charter documents detail the additional requirements, such as professional development, rest and drug testing. The question and answer document is also helpful for those who wish to achieve verified seafarers’ charter status.
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