ARTICLE · 11 NOVEMBER 2026

Seafarers’ Wages, Remuneration And Safe Working Conditions

Ashfords LLP

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The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces significant changes to maritime employment law by expanding the Seafarers Wages Act 2023 to require UK national minimum wage equivalent payments beyond territorial waters and establishing new safe working conditions for seafarers. These amendments impose substantial compliance obligations on harbour authorities and ship operators, including mandatory declaration systems and enforcement mechanisms with financial penalties for non-compliance.

FranceEmployment and HR

From 30 October 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 expands the scope of the Seafarers Wages Act 2023 (and re-names the Act, the Seafarers (Wages and Working Conditions) Act 2023) , to include new powers that require payment of the equivalent of UK national minimum wage outside of UK waters, enabling the government to make regulations relating to:

remuneration (which may relate to other types of remuneration beyond wages) on services (whether or not in the territorial waters of the UK) defined by the regulations (not yet made); and
safe working conditions for seafarers. The regulations may specify conditions relating to working patterns and rest requirements, for managing and mitigating fatigue including the adoption of fatigue management plans and safety-related training.

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