Foreign Fishing Crew Minimum Wage to Be Raised to Domestic Seafarers' Level by 2026

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries: "Currently at 81%... Tripartite Agreement to Gradually Increase from Next Year"

Foreign crew members operating a fishing vessel. (Photo by Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 19th that it has agreed to raise the minimum wage for foreign fishermen, which is currently about 81% of that of domestic seafarers, to 100% by 2026. The revised regulation applies to fishermen on vessels of 20 tons (t) or more.

According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the minimum wage for foreign fishermen is about 450,000 won lower per month compared to domestic seafarers. Accordingly, on the 18th, the Ministry reached an agreement with the industry, including the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, and labor unions such as the National Maritime Seafarers' Union Federation, to raise the minimum wage for foreign fishermen to the level of domestic seafarers by 2026. The government, industry, and labor unions agreed to use this wage increase agreement as an opportunity to prevent the departure of foreign fishermen and to improve their living conditions.

Jeon Jae-woo, Director of the Shipping and Logistics Bureau at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "Even though the business situation has become difficult due to COVID-19, there was a consensus that the working conditions of foreign fishermen must be improved, which made the wage increase agreement possible," adding, "We will make further efforts to guarantee the rights and interests of foreign seafarers, who are becoming increasingly important in the domestic industry."

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