Updating the ILO’s minimum basic wage of able seamen. Report JMC/29/2001/2

Report for discussion at the 29th Session of the Joint Maritime Commission, JMC/29/2001/2. This report revises the ILO minimum basic wage for seafarers based on changes in consumer prices and exchange rates between January 1997 and January 2000.

This report describes the methodology of updating of the ILO's recommended minimum basic wage for an able seaman of US$ 435 as agreed by the JMC in 1996. It provides calculations based on sets of assumptions: updated list of countries and areas; changes in consumer prices; changes in exchange rates; purchasing power of the US dollar in January 2000 relative to January 1997; and average change in purchasing power of US$ 435 across selected countries and areas from 1 January 1997 to 1 January 2000. Consequently, the median value obtained represents a decrease compared to the recommended minimum of 1996. This is largely attributable to the current strength of the US dollar.