Your wages were due, but the money never arrived. You may still be on board, on a poor internet connection and several time zones away from the bank account where your family expects their allotment. In this situation, waiting without a written explanation can make a difficult problem worse.
Seafarers have options. Rather than making public accusations or giving up essential documents, begin with the contract, the monthly wage account and proof of transfers. Put the discrepancy in writing. If it remains unresolved, use the ship’s complaint process and seek independent support from a union, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) or the appropriate authority.
This practical guide explains what to check when maritime wages are delayed or unpaid, including the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC), documentation, complaint pathways and the serious problem of seafarer abandonment. It is a general guide; the specific remedy depends on your flag State, Seafarers’ Employment Agreement (SEA), any collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and applicable law.
Five Steps to Take When Pay Has Not Arrived
- Verify the actual due date. Review your SEA, CBA and the company’s payment schedule; distinguish payroll processing from the date the money should be available.
- Reconcile your wage statement. Check basic pay, agreed overtime, allowances, lawful deductions, currency conversion and any family allotment.
- Check what was received. Compare the wage statement with your own bank account or the destination account authorized for allotments.
- Create a factual record. Record the relevant month, expected amount, amount received, outstanding balance and the evidence for each figure.
- Request a written answer. Ask the responsible payroll or crewing contact to explain the difference and provide a verifiable payment date.
You do not have to make an accusation to ask for your contractual pay. A clear, calm record of facts is more useful in an official complaint than a series of angry messages with inconsistent figures.
What Does the MLC Say About Seafarers’ Wages?
MLC Regulation 2.2 and Standard A2.2 require seafarers to be paid regularly and in full according to their employment agreements. Payments that are due must be made at intervals of no more than one month under the applicable flag-State framework and relevant collective agreement.
The Convention also requires a monthly account of payments due and amounts paid. That account includes wages, additional payments and an exchange rate if payment is made in a different currency or at a different rate than agreed.
These rules do not establish one global payday shared by all ships. They establish an important basis for checking the schedule against your actual contractual terms. If a company says wages have already been transferred, request a payment reference that the relevant bank can trace. A wage statement is not, by itself, proof that the funds arrived.
Know the Difference Between Missing Pay and a Payroll Dispute
Two sailors may describe the same problem as ‘unpaid wages’ even though one is missing an entire monthly salary and the other is disputing an overtime calculation. Both deserve attention, but they require different evidence.
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Basic wage | The rate and payment period specified in the SEA |
| Overtime | The applicable agreed formula and relevant hours-of-work records |
| Allotment | Amount directed to family, destination and transfer evidence |
| Deductions | The contractual or legal explanation and amount |
| Currency conversion | The rate and payment currency used |
| Outstanding balance | The supported difference between what was due and received |
Do not invent an overtime entitlement or rate from another employer’s contract. Reconcile the terms of your own agreement and seek advice where the wording is unclear.
A Worked Example: How Much Is Actually Outstanding?
Assume a seafarer’s agreed monthly wage is USD 2,000. The September wage statement lists USD 2,000 due, but only USD 1,300 can be verified as received by the seafarer or designated allotment recipient. If no additional authorized payment or adjustment can be established, the initial amount to query is USD 700.
| September wage reconciliation | Illustrative figure |
|---|---|
| Amount due under the agreed terms | USD 2,000 |
| Payments verified as received | USD 1,300 |
| Unexplained difference | USD 700 |
This is a preliminary reconciliation, not a legal finding. A legitimate cash payment, authorized deduction, additional allotment, or calculation error may change the figure. Record those items if evidenced. For several unpaid months, create a separate line for every wage period with its due date and supporting documents.
Avoid mixing estimates and confirmed amounts. The best first complaint clearly states what is known and what needs clarification.
The Documents You Should Prepare
The ITF’s guidance on wages recommends keeping enough information to establish the ship, employer, contractual pay, service period and missing bank payments. A secure personal record should contain the following, where lawfully accessible:
- Ship name, flag, IMO number, type and present or next port.
- Your rank, joining date, employment agreement and applicable CBA.
- Monthly wage accounts or payslips for the relevant periods.
- Your own bank or allotment payment evidence, including missed transfers.
- Written messages showing enquiries, explanations and payment promises.
- A chronological calculation of what you believe remains unpaid.
Never publish bank numbers, passport scans or crew lists to pressure the company. Remove unnecessary personal details before sharing records with a union or authority, and send sensitive documents only to a verified recipient over an appropriate channel.
Who Should You Contact First?
Start with the official payroll or crewing contact identified by your employer, or the onboard supervisor who deals with wage enquiries. Explain the pay period, expected amount, received amount and specific clarification you seek. Ask for a written response and retain it.
If the problem remains unresolved, look at the onboard complaint procedure. MLC Regulation 5.1.5 and Standard A5.1.5 establish rules for procedures addressing alleged breaches of seafarers’ rights, including safeguards against victimization. Seafarers covered by the Convention must be informed of the procedure and contact details for relevant authorities, with avenues to complain directly to the master and appropriate external authorities where needed.
A complaint process may begin at the lowest appropriate level, but it should not trap you with the person responsible for the problem. Read the ship’s own instructions and seek impartial advice when the reporting line creates a conflict.
A Professional Email Template for Unpaid Wages
Subject: Request for Clarification of Outstanding Wages – [Vessel Name]
Dear Payroll/Crewing Team,
I would like to request clarification regarding my wages for [month/year]. According to my employment agreement and wage statement, [amount] was due. As of [date], I have verified receipt of [amount]. I would appreciate your assistance in explaining the difference of [amount].
Please confirm whether any deductions or adjustments apply and provide the payment status and expected settlement date in writing.
Thank you for your attention.
Kind regards,
[Full name, Rank, Vessel]
For a significant unresolved issue, use the ship’s formal complaint procedure as well. If you receive a promised date and the payment does not arrive, record that development in the existing timeline.
When Should You Contact the ITF?
You do not have to wait until several months of wages have been lost. On its wage advice page, the ITF suggests raising an appreciable delay of more than two weeks with the captain and obtaining further help if the situation is not resolved. Two weeks is ITF practical advice, not a universal statutory deadline for complaints.
Find an ITF inspector using ITF Look Up or contact the ITF Seafarers Support team at seafsupport@itf.org.uk. Provide the ship’s details, your contract, the periods unpaid and the relevant correspondence.
ITF may be able to help you establish facts, communicate with the right people and pursue a resolution, but it does not guarantee wages will be recovered. Local legal advice or support from your seafarers’ union may also be appropriate. Do not stop safety-critical work, strike or leave the vessel without understanding the legal and safety consequences of the action.
Is Two Months of Missing Pay Considered Abandonment?
Seafarer abandonment is a serious legal and welfare issue. According to the ILO/IMO joint abandonment information and MLC Standard A2.5.2, abandonment can arise when a shipowner fails to fund repatriation, leaves seafarers without essential maintenance and support, or otherwise severs ties unilaterally, including failure to pay contractual wages for at least two months.
This means a payment arriving a few days late should not automatically be described as an abandonment case. However, extended non-payment together with lack of food, potable water, medical support or a way home are urgent warning signs. Seek professional assistance promptly if these conditions arise.
Ships within the relevant MLC scope must have a financial security system for abandonment. Subject to the actual rules and eligibility, it can cover outstanding wages and contractual entitlements, capped at four months for each component, together with relevant repatriation costs and essential needs. These are not promises that every claim will be paid without evidence or review. The ship’s displayed financial-security details and the competent authorities are important sources of help in a suspected abandonment case.
Why You Should Avoid Public Accusations and Informal Settlement Offers
Even when a wage claim is genuine, a seafarer can create additional problems by sharing other crew members’ private data, altered documents or confidential company information online. Protect your evidence and identity.
Be cautious if someone asks for an upfront fee to ‘release’ your salary. Verify that the person or organization has legitimate authority before sharing financial information or signing anything. Do not sign a document saying all wages were paid if the figures are inaccurate without obtaining a clear explanation and, where appropriate, independent advice.
If you are stranded or without basic necessities, ask for emergency welfare and official assistance rather than entering lengthy disputes through social media. The protection of the crew and the safety of the vessel take priority over public arguments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can all wages be held until the end of a seafarer’s contract?
The MLC framework requires wages due to be paid at intervals not exceeding one month for ships within scope. A blanket promise to pay everything at the end of the contract should be checked carefully against the relevant law and agreement.
What if a payslip has been issued but the bank received nothing?
Request traceable transfer evidence and review the agreed destination account. A payslip and proof of receipt answer different questions.
Can I complain while still on board?
Yes, the MLC complaint framework for covered ships provides onboard complaint channels and access to appropriate external authorities. Use the ship’s formal procedure and seek confidential advice if needed.
Does the ITF guarantee wage recovery?
No. It provides guidance and assistance, but successful recovery depends on circumstances, law and the parties involved.
Should a seafarer stop working when wages are unpaid?
Do not make a unilateral decision that risks vessel safety or legal consequences. Obtain specialized advice from the relevant union, authority or lawyer for the port and flag concerned.
Keep a One-Page Wage Claim Summary
A useful wage claim summary includes your vessel and rank, the employer’s contact, the relevant service dates, a month-by-month table of amounts due and amounts received, the supporting evidence and a clear request for settlement. Update the same timeline when a payment arrives or a promise changes.
If you are also concerned that long shifts are harming safety, read our MLC and STCW hours-of-rest guide. Browse KapalPedia for Seafarers for career resources or read this wage guide in Indonesian.
Official Sources
- ILO — MLC Regulation 2.2, Wages
- ILO — MLC Regulation 5.1.5, On-board Complaints
- ITF Seafarers — Wages
- ITF Seafarers — Contact and Support
- ILO/IMO — Seafarer Abandonment
Editorial note: International sources were checked on 28 October 2026. This article provides general education, not individualized legal advice. Flag-State law, employment terms, collective agreements and applicable complaint procedures control individual cases.
