Wages
You must be paid your wages in full at no more than monthly intervals.
You must be given the option to transmit all or part of your wages to a nominated person. If you do have all or part of your wages transmitted, any charges must be reasonable.
If wages transmitted are to be exchanged, the rate of currency exchange, unless otherwise agreed, must be at the prevailing market rate or official published rate and not unfavourable to you.
Leave
You are entitled to a minimum of 2.5 calendar days per month of service.
On New Zealand ships, the minimum amount of paid annual leave is specified in the Holidays Act. The maximum period of continuous service (without annual leave taken) must not exceed 12 months.
On foreign flagged ships, you must refer to your flag state requirements for the maximum period of continuous service onboard before your become entitled to leave.
Repatriation
Your SEA will specify details of repatriation. The cost of repatriation is the responsibility of the shipowner.
Hours of work and rest
Your maximum hours of work shall not exceed:
- 14 hours in any 24-hour period; and
- 72 hours in any 7-day period.
Alternatively, your minimum hours of rest shall not be less than:
- 10 hours in any 24-hour period; and
- 77 hours in any 7-day period.
The owner and master of the ship are required to establish and enforce rest periods and post a table of the shipboard working arrangements with the minimum hours of rest required. Records of hours of rest must be maintained. These must be endorsed by the master and seafarer and kept on board.
Recreation space
You must have recreation space onboard that meets the requirements of Maritime Rules Part 51. In addition, the shipowner must specify what recreational facilities are provided in the Document of Maritime Labour Compliance Part II. These recreational facilities, amenities and services must meet the special needs of seafarers who live and work on the ship.
Food
You must be provided with food and water free of charge during your period of engagement.
You must be provided with adequate, varied and nutritious meals, which have been prepared and served in hygienic conditions. Meals prepared for you must meet any religious requirements you have or cultural practices as they relate to food. Drinking water must be of appropriate quality.
Medical care
On New Zealand ships, if you are overseas you must receive all necessary medical attention at the employer’s expense.
While in New Zealand, seafarers have access to the public health system.
Maritime Rules Part 50 prescribes medical stores and medical guidance about what must be carried on a New Zealand ship.
Accommodation
Maritime Rule Part 51 sets the standards for all areas of a ship that crew occupy. This includes the sleeping and recreation rooms, galleys, laundries, sanitary accommodation (baths, showers, WCs), drying rooms, and store rooms. It also sets minimum standards for heating and ventilation.
Recruitment
You must not be charged a fee to be recruited to work aboard a ship.
If you require assistance, an MNZ recognised Recruitment and Placement Service provider may charge you a reasonable fee to obtain documentation, limited to the following documents:
- Certificate of medical fitness
- Seafarer’s qualification
- National seafarers’ record book
- Passport
- Travel document (other than a visa)
Your privacy
The information in this complaint form is required to investigate your complaint under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and will only be used for that purpose.
The information in this form will be held by Maritime New Zealand and treated as confidential, subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 2020.
When Maritime New Zealand receives a complaint, we will make initial enquiries (which may include a visit to the ship). During those enquiries, Maritime NZ will make a concerted effort to protect the identity of the person who has made the complaint. On some occasions, in order to investigate a complaint, Maritime NZ may need to disclose information about the complaint, including who made it, to the owner or operator of the ship or another third party. Maritime NZ will contact you before disclosing any information about your complaint to the owner or operator of the ship or any other third person.
Maritime New Zealand only discloses personal information to third parties when authorised by the individual or permitted by the Privacy Act 2020 or otherwise required or permitted by law.
You have the right to request access to, and correction of, any personal information about you held by Maritime New Zealand under the Privacy Act. If you wish to access, or correct, personal information Maritime New Zealand holds about you, please contact:
The Privacy Officer
Maritime New Zealand
PO Box 25620
Wellington 6146
or by phone on 0508 225 522 or 64 4 473 0111.
