Ministry Of Transportation Issues SE Regarding The Basic Salaries Of Indonesian Ship Crew

Ship illustration (photo: Antara)

The Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) issued a circular (SE) regarding the determination of the crew's basic salary, which works on ships with flags and sailed in Indonesian waters.

Director General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation Antoni Arif Priadi said the issuance of this circular was aimed at providing protection and legal certainty to crew members working on Indonesian-flagged ships sailing in Indonesian waters.

"The main salary also does not include other allowances, including overtime wages and replacement money for holidays (leavepay)," he quoted Antara as saying.

The Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation issued Circular No. SE-DJPL 20/2024, dated June 19, 2024, concerning the Examination and Supervision of Sea Work Agreements (PKL) for the Basic Salaries of Ship Crews Working on Indonesian Flagd Ships Sailing in Indonesian Waters.

The circular was addressed to the Head of the Office of Harbormaster and Main Port Authority, Head of the Batam Special Port Office and Authority, Heads of the Port Authority and Port Authority, and Heads of the Office of Port Organizing Units throughout Indonesia.

The Ministry of Transportation considers the need for guidelines for the Head of the Technical Implementation Unit Office and ship owners/operators related to the determination of the basic salary in the contents of the sea work agreement (PKL), where the basic salary must consider the provincial minimum wage (UMP) in accordance with the rules set by the governor in the area where the PKL is signed.

According to Antoni, the basic salary is determined based on the lowest position on the ship in accordance with the crew's odd list and/or crew list.

Not only that, but the heads of offices were also instructed to carry out inspections and supervision of the ratification of street vendors and the odd number of sailors to ensure that the basic salary of the crew was carried out according to the circular letter of the director general.

Antoni said that the SE was also to carry out the United Nations Convention (PBB) regarding the 1982 Law of the Sea which stipulates the duties and obligations of the state, one of which is related to the determination of the minimum salary of Indonesian-flagged crew members.

"As well as following up on the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation Number 58 of 2021," explained Antoni.

He said the determination of the basic salary on the basis of an agreement from the Association of Indonesian National Shipowners' Association (INSA) and the Seafarers Association together with the Directorate General of Sea Transportation.

Furthermore, Antoni emphasized that ship owners/operators who do not comply with the provisions of the crew's basic salary may be subject to administrative sanctions in accordance with the provisions of the legislation.

"This circular will take effect from June 19, 2024. For this reason, the Heads of UPT of the Directorate General of Hubla were ordered to conduct socialization, guidance, supervision and reporting of the implementation of this circular and report the results of the evaluation to the Director General of Sea Transportation," said Antoni.