THE AUSTRALIAN Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), in collaboration with the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO), have joined forces to address wage theft issues aboard foreign-flagged vessels operating under the Coastal Trading Act.
Both agencies have signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalising their commitment to the Strategic Fleet Pilot Program, a key recommendation of the Government’s Maritime Strategic Fleet taskforce.
The pilot program, which will focus on compliance monitoring of foreign-flagged vessels operating in Australian waters, aims to ensure adherence to wage entitlements.
Through joint familiarisation ship visits across the South, East, and West regions of Australia, AMSA and FWO say their officers will gather critical evidence to support compliance with Australian workplace standards.
These visits will also contribute to the development of new training materials for the program.
Through an updated MoU, both agencies are intending to improve compliance monitoring, sharing regional contacts, and conducting joint inspections of foreign-flagged vessels.
AMSA said monthly progress meetings will help guide the implementation and success of the initiative, and that it is dedicated to supporting the FWO in combatting wage theft and ensuring that all seafarers receive their lawful entitlements.
“This initiative is part of AMSA’s ongoing efforts to uphold the rights of seafarers and improve workplace conditions in the maritime industry,’ AMSA said in a statement.
AMSA is the authority responsible for regulating compliance with the International Labour Organization (ILO), and Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC).
The MLC sets international standards for the working and living conditions of seafarers on vessels, including payment of wages.
The FWO monitors, investigates, and enforces compliance with the Fair Work Act, which includes compliance with wage entitlements for seafarers engaged on foreign-flagged vessels operating.
In some cases, the FWO’s compliance role may intersect with AMSA’s responsibilities under the MLC.
AMSA said one of the strategic fleet review recommendations being actioned aims to strengthen the two parties’ collaboration and compliance approach.
