Scheme aimed at sea wages
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The Albanese government says it is standing up for seafarers with a $2.7 million pilot program to tackle wage theft.
A two-year initiative, set to commence in 2024, aims to improve compliance monitoring for wages paid to seafarers on foreign-flagged vessels operating in Australian waters.
It will focus on ensuring seafarers working in coastal trading receive their lawful entitlements under Australian law.
The initiative comes in response to concerns that some foreign-flagged vessels are paying seafarers less than their Australian counterparts, undermining wage standards and putting Australian businesses at a competitive disadvantage.
The program is expected to help protect Australian workers by levelling the playing field for all vessels operating along the coast.
It will be implemented by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO), the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
The pilot program is part of efforts to fulfil the recommendations of the Maritime Strategic Fleet Taskforce Report, which outlines measures to strengthen Australian shipping and increase resilience, particularly in times of national emergency.
“Shipping is an essential backbone to our economy and our social wellbeing, with 99 per cent of the volume of our goods trade moved by sea,” said Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King.
The program is expected to run from 2024-2026, during which time seafarers and concerned parties can report suspected wage theft to the FWO through its dedicated email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or anonymous online tip-off service.