No. 145 - Continuity of Employment (Seafarers), 1976

Provisions

• Ratifying countries must have a national policy that encourages:
  • qualified seafarers to be provided with continuous or regular employment so far as is practicable; and, as a consequence;
  • shipowners to be provided with a stable and competent workforce.
• Seafarers are to be assured either minimum periods of employment, or a minimum income or a monetary allowance, the manner and extent of which are to depend on the country's economic and social situation.
• The regular employment might be achieved by contracts for regular or continuous employment with a shipping firm or shipowners' association, or by registers or lists of qualified seafarers. Seafarers on a register or list are to have priority of engagement.
• Ratifying countries must also ensure that appropriate safety, health, welfare and vocational training provisions apply to seafarers.

Administered by

Department of Labour

• Employment Relations Act 2000
• Minimum Wage Act 1983

Maritime New Zealand

• Maritime Transport Act 1994

How New Zealand implements it

• Seafarers who want employment at sea can leave details of their qualifications and availability for work at Maritime Safety Authority offices at the three major ports, and this information is provided on request to employers.
• All seafarers are engaged on contracts providing unbroken service with individual employers, the effect of which is to provide continuous pay irrespective of the amount of sea service performed. The Government is not involved in administering these arrangements.
• Appropriate safety, health, welfare and vocational training is provided in line with the requirements of international treaties.
• The object of the Employment Relations Act is to build productive employment relationships through promoting good faith in the employment environment and the employment relationship.

This Convention is not applicable to Tokelau.

Ratified - 11 January 1980

Total ratifications - 17

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