MINIMUM WAGE [ S.L.234.26 1
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 234.26
MERCHANT SHIPPING (MINIMUM WAGE) 
REGULATIONS
1st July, 2002
LEGAL NOTICE 154 of 2002.
Short title.
(Minimum Wage) Regulations.
Interpretation.
requires -
S.L.234.15
''able seaman'' means a person in possession of a certificate as
A.B. issued or recognised under the Merchant Shipping (A.B. and
E.D.H. Certificates) Regulations;
''basic wage'' means the wage, however, composed, for normal
hours of work;
''employer'', in relation to a seafarer, means the person by whom
the worker is (or, where the employment has ceased, was)
employed;
''operator'', in relation to a ship, includes the owner, and any
demise charterer or manager; and
''seafarer'' means every person employed or engaged in any
capacity on board a sea-going ship as part of the ships crew,
including the master of the vessel:
Provided that the term shall not be deemed to refer to:
( a ) pilots;
( b ) persons engaged to work in ports in repairing,
cleaning, loading or unloading vessels;
( c ) persons employed on board by an employer other than
the operator;
( d ) members of the shipowner’s family.
Application.
( a ) fishing vessels;
( b ) pleasure yachts;
( c ) oil rigs and drilling platforms when engaged in
navigation; and
S.L.452.51
( d ) any seafarer who is subject to the provisions of the
Seamen Wages Council Wage Regulation Order.
(2) Subject to subregulation (1) these regulations apply to sea-
going Maltese ships.
Provision for 
minimum wage.
4. Without prejudice to the principle of free collective
bargaining, it shall be the duty of an employer of a seafarer and an
operator of a ship to ensure that a seafarer is paid at least a
minimum basic wage.
2 [ S.L.234.26 MINIMUM WAGE
Minimum wage. 5. The minimum basic wage for a calendar month of service
for an able seaman shall be not less than 450 US Dollars, or the
equivalent thereof in the specific currency stated in the agreement
with the crew:
Provided that the Registrar-General may authorise
collective agreements permitting exceptions to the minimum basic
wage provided for in this regulation. 
Penalty. 6. Where an employer or an operator fails to comply with
regulations 4 and 5, the employer or operator shall be subject to a
fine ( multa ) of Lm 500.
