Piracy threat bonus for sailors in high risk area

Seafarers serving on ships in transit through the Gulf of Aden are to receive special “war risk” payments following emergency meetings of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

In response to the continuing threat of pirate attacks, owners and unions have agreed to establish a “high risk area” that covers the major part of the Gulf of Aden.

Ships covered by the ITF agreements will receive a bonus of 100% of their basic wage while the vessel is in transit through the area. The normal rates of death and disability compensation will be doubled during this period.

The UK seafarers’ union Nautilus led the IBF negotiations for sailors working on international shipping. It has reached a similar agreement with the UK National Warlike Operations Area Committee for seafarers on British ships.

Nautilus general secretary Brian Orrell commented: “This agreement is breaking new ground in recognising that seafarers face serious risks at sea besides just the possibility of being asked to sail into an area where wars are in progress. This is a major step forward.”