The 'List of Shipowners with Wage Arrears' Will Be Expanded to Include Vessels Over 20 Tons

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Announces Legislative Notice for Amendments to the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the Seafarers Act

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 3rd that it will publicly notify the amendment of subordinate legislation of the Seafarers Act, which includes measures to prevent wage arrears for seafarers and protect trainee seafarers, from the 5th until July 17.

The amendment includes ▲ imposition of delayed interest (20%) on unpaid wages and retirement pay for seafarers and disclosure of the names of shipowners who have withheld seafarers' wages ▲ strengthening management of trainee seafarers ▲ and the types of medical supplies stocked on board.

For fishing vessels under 20 tons and general workers, to whom the Labor Standards Act applies, wage arrears could be indirectly prevented by imposing delayed interest on employers and disclosing the names of employers in case of wage arrears. However, for seafarers on merchant ships and fishing vessels over 20 tons, to whom the Seafarers Act applies, there were limitations in responding to wage arrears as there were no measures such as delayed interest or name disclosure for unpaid wages.

Additionally, as the Seafarers Act was amended to sufficiently guarantee rest conditions for trainee seafarers, a delegation provision was reflected to allow seafarer labor inspectors of the regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office to inspect compliance with rest times. The list of medical supplies stocked on board will also be notified by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Through this, the Ministry expects that welfare conditions for seafarers, including trainee seafarers, will improve.

The amendment can be viewed on the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries website. Individuals or organizations with opinions can submit them to the Ministry’s Seafarer Policy Division or the Integrated Legislative Notification Center by July 17 this year. After the public notification, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to proceed with the amendment aiming to promulgate the revised decree after regulatory review and legal affairs review (November to December), submission to the Vice Minister and Cabinet meeting in January next year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.