The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), in collaboration with the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO), has taken a step in addressing wage theft issues aboard foreign-flagged vessels operating under the Coastal Trading Act.
The pilot program, which will focus on compliance monitoring of foreign-flagged vessels operating in Australian waters, aims to ensure adherence to wage entitlements under the Seagoing Industry Award 2020 – Schedule A. Through joint familiarisation ship visits across the South, East, and West regions of Australia, AMSA and FWO officers will gather critical evidence to support compliance with Australian workplace standards. These visits will also contribute to the development of new training materials for the program.
Through an updated MOU, both agencies have committed to improving compliance monitoring, sharing regional contacts, and conducting joint inspections of the foreign-flagged vessels. Monthly progress meetings will help guide the implementation and success of this initiative. AMSA is dedicated to supporting the FWO in combatting wage theft and ensuring that all seafarers receive their lawful entitlements.
This initiative is part of AMSA’s ongoing efforts to uphold the rights of seafarers and improve workplace conditions in the maritime industry.
AMSA is the competent authority responsible for regulating compliance with the International Labour Organization (ILO), Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC). The MLC sets international standards for the working and living conditions of seafarers on vessels, including payment of wages.
The FWO monitors, investigates and enforces compliance with the Fair Work (FW) Act. This includes compliance with wage entitlements for seafarers engaged on foreign-flagged vessels operating under the Seagoing Industry Award 2020 – Schedule A.
In some cases, the FWO’s compliance role may, intersect with AMSA’s responsibilities under the MLC. One of the strategic fleet review recommendations being actioned aims to strengthen our collaboration and compliance approach.
