An Independent Expert Review for the Maritime Industry
Within the maritime community, the topic of trade unions always sparks debate. Some seafarers see them as a relic of the past, while others regard them as the only real safeguard against shipowners’ arbitrariness. As always, the truth lies somewhere in between. To answer whether it is worth turning to a union, one must look at its role from a neutral standpoint — neither as a seafarer nor as a shipowner, but as an independent maritime industry analyst.
1. Historical Role and Legal Framework
Maritime unions emerged long before the IMO and MLC 2006 — at a time when seafarers’ work was among the most vulnerable. Their goal has always been collective protection, fair employment terms, and compensation in cases of illness, injury, or death. Today, their activities are governed by the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) and national legislation. According to Regulation 5.1.5 and Standard A5.1.5, each state must ensure seafarers have access to effective complaint mechanisms, including union representation. Thus, a union is not merely an association but an internationally recognized instrument of labor protection.
2. What Turning to a Union Can Really Offer
1. Legal support and consultation. Unions often provide free or subsidized legal assistance in disputes over unpaid wages, unfair dismissal, or breach of contract. Unlike private lawyers, they have sector-specific expertise and understand company procedures.2. Collective influence. An individual seafarer rarely has leverage against a shipowner or agent, especially across jurisdictions. Backed by an organization of thousands, the negotiating position is stronger. Many unions, through ITF and IBF frameworks, help set minimum wage scales, rest standards, and repatriation rights.3. Compliance monitoring. Unions often cooperate with port inspectors, ensuring medical care, repatriation, and compensation are delivered. Some maintain databases of “blacklisted” vessels known for crew mistreatment.4. Reputational pressure. In disputes, a union can contact the flag administration, classification society, or even the charterer — creating external pressure that forces the company to respond. This tool is beyond an individual’s reach.
3. Limitations and Weak Points
1. Not all unions are equally effective. In some countries, unions exist only on paper and lack real influence. Evaluating a union’s reputation matters more than its mere presence.2. Political and economic dependence. Some unions serve political or national agendas rather than individual members’ interests, undermining trust, especially among multinational crews.3. Conflicts of interest. When unions cooperate closely with companies through collective agreements, they may be reluctant to confront the employer to protect one member.4. Limited resources. Even international unions cannot intervene instantly in every case. If a ship flies a “convenience flag” or belongs to an offshore entity, resolution can be slow.
4. When Turning to a Union Makes Sense
Unpaid wages and the shipowner avoids contact
Onboard injuries or illness requiring repatriation and compensation
Unlawful dismissal or refusal to issue documents
Ship detention or crew abandonment
Safety or accommodation violations onboard
In these cases, the union becomes not just an adviser but the only mechanism capable of drawing attention from the flag state, ITF, and the public.
5. When It May Not Be Worth It
If the issue is personal or domestic rather than contractual — for example, interpersonal conflicts or minor miscommunication — a union complaint might escalate rather than solve the problem. Similarly, unions cannot handle non-labor issues like visas, taxes, or family matters.
6. Alternatives: Digital and Legal Platforms
Modern tools provide additional protection: online complaint systems (e.g., ITF Seafarers Help), maritime rights platforms, and legal consulting services. Many countries also maintain free hotlines through maritime administrations. These tools complement, rather than replace, union involvement — especially in urgent cases.
7. Conclusion: A Rational, Not Emotional, Decision
Turning to a union is a professional decision, not an act of protest or loyalty. It makes sense when violations are legal in nature and require collective leverage. A union’s effectiveness depends on the professionalism of its experts, transparency, and connections to international bodies.In today’s maritime world, a seafarer should not just hold a union card — they should understand how this mechanism actually works, what rights it protects, and what outcomes are realistic. Only then does a union become not an abstract institution but a practical safety resource — one of the essential elements of a seafarer’s professional security.
