The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) recovered $8.5 million in unpaid wages for seafarers in 2024, which is a 52.7% increase from the $5.59 million reclaimed the previous year. This highlights the persistent issue of wage theft in the shipping industry.
The figures were disclosed during a meeting between the PMA’s General Directorate of Seafarers (DGGM) and delegates from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). While Panama attributed the higher recovery rate to its commitment to enforcing fair labour standards, the surge also points to a troubling rise in the mistreatment of seafarers.
This trend aligns with broader industry concerns. In early 2024, the ITF reported that crew abandonment cases had nearly doubled, with 3,133 seafarers abandoned compared to 1,676 in 2023. The PMA itself handled 271 inquiries and 312 labor complaints last year, assisting in the repatriation of 368 crew members of various nationalities.
Moving forward, the PMA has pledged to strengthen enforcement of national and international labour regulations to protect seafarers’ rights.
With these growing figures, there is an urgent need for reforms to be adopted in the industry to ensure fair treatment and timely payment of wages for seafarers worldwide.
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