Seafarers should receive wage accounts monthly
A wage account is a seafarer’s wage statement showing earnings, deductions, additional payments and the net amount payable. Under MLC 2006 standards, payments due to seafarers should be made at intervals not exceeding one month, and the seafarer should receive an account showing amounts due and deductions.
What should be in a wage account?
The UK MGN 478 says an account of wages should include the seafarer’s name, date of birth if known, discharge book number or other identifier, capacity, period covered by the account, amounts payable, type and amount of deductions and net amount.
Check whether the document includes:
- your name and identifier or discharge book number, if used;
- your capacity and the period covered by the account;
- basic wages, overtime, leave pay, subsistence or consolidated pay, where applicable;
- all deductions by type and amount;
- net amount payable.
How do you compare it with your employment terms?
Start with the SEA, collective agreement or other signed payment terms. Compare the rate, the period covered, overtime, leave pay, allotment and deductions.
Check the work period separately. The Isle of Man Ship Registry guidance for monthly accounts says the account should show the dates when employment commenced and ceased, the total period for which wages were earned and, separately, any periods for which wages were not earned.
What should you check before signing?
Before signing, make sure the document shows the full picture: gross wages, overtime, other earnings, allotment and deductions. A monthly account should state the nature of each deduction and the total net wages.
Practical checklist:
- do not sign an empty or incomplete wage account;
- keep copies of every monthly statement;
- ask for an explanation of every unclear deduction;
- check allotments: to whom, when and how much should have been transferred.
What if the amount does not match?
If there is an error in the account, ask the master or company for a written explanation and keep copies of the documents. Record the difference: which month, expected amount, amount calculated and amount actually paid.
After termination of the SEA, an account of wages should also be prepared and delivered to the seafarer. MGN 478 gives the deadline for this case as within one month of the date of termination.