Minimum Monthly Wage for Seafarers Next Year Set at 2.36 Million Won... 5.05% Increase

Minister of Employment Notice Separately Sets Land Workers
"Decision Made Considering COVID-19 Shipping and Fisheries Conditions"

Crew members being rescued before a dredging barge anchoring off the coast of Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, collided with a coastal cliff and sank. (Photo by Asia Economy DB)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 31st that the minimum wage for seafarers next year will be 2,363,100 KRW per month. This is an increase of 113,600 KRW (5.05%) from this year's 2,249,500 KRW per month, matching the raise rate of minimum wages for land-based workers.

The minimum wage for seafarers is determined by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries based on advice from the Ministry's Policy Advisory Committee for Seafarers, according to Article 59 of the Seafarers Act. This is separate from the minimum wage for land-based workers set by the Minister of Employment and Labor. The seafarers' minimum wage is set 448,660 KRW higher than the monthly converted minimum wage for land-based workers, which is 1,914,440 KRW. The Ministry explained that this higher rate reflects the generally harsh working conditions at sea compared to land-based work.

Kim Seok-hoon, Director of the Seafarer Policy Division at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "The minimum wage for seafarers next year was set after comprehensively considering stakeholders' opinions, the unique nature of maritime work, and the conditions of the shipping and fisheries industries amid COVID-19." He added, "We will implement various policies to stabilize seafarers' livelihoods and increase the influx of young seafarers."

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