Equal Pay For Seafarers On Ships Registered Under The Dutch Flag

On 18 August 2025, the Dutch Committee for Human Rights (CRvdM) issued a ruling on equal pay for seafarers on ships registered under the Dutch flag. The CRvdM held that certain foreign collective labour agreements (CLA's) are contrary to the Dutch Equal Treatment Act (AWGB). The CRvdM therefore is of the opinion that foreign seafarers – in this case, Filipino and Indonesian – should receive the same salary as their EU colleagues performing the same or similar work.

Why this ruling matters

• If courts follow the CRvdM's ruling, the financial impact for shipowners could be significant.
• Claim foundations are using the ruling to request information from shipowners, although it remains questionable whether they are legally entitled to demand all such data.