Seafarer Wages: Pay, Overtime, Allotments, and Monthly Statements

Your wage is more than one figure. It may include a basic wage, guaranteed overtime, additional overtime, leave pay and allowances. The controlling terms should be found in your SEA and, where applicable, a CBA.

Read the wage structure

Write down each component and currency. A contract may use US dollars or another currency even when money reaches a Malaysian account in ringgit. Note the exchange-rate method and bank charges if these affect what your family receives.

Keep your own overtime record

Do not wait until a dispute. Each day, record start and finish times, job, supervisor and whether the work was routine or emergency work. Compare your record with approved timesheets and your wage statement. Raise differences factually and promptly.

Understand allotments

An allotment is an arrangement to send part of your earnings to another person or account, often a family member. Confirm the amount, timing, recipient details, currency conversion and charges. Protect banking information and verify any change request through a trusted channel.

Read every monthly statement

A useful monthly wage account should let you identify earnings, additions, deductions and the amount paid. Check:

• pay period and currency;
• basic and overtime amounts;
• leave pay and allowances;
• each deduction and its stated reason;
• balance carried or paid;
• payment date and destination.

Never sign an inaccurate statement merely to complete a routine. Note the disagreement and seek advice.

Build a simple evidence file

Keep the SEA, CBA, wage scale, monthly statements, overtime logs, bank records and written queries. Save originals with dates. A clear month-by-month table is more useful than hundreds of unlabelled screenshots.

If pay is missing, ask the company for a written explanation and payment date, then contact NUSPM or ITF if the issue persists. ITF’s wages guidance explains practical rights information, and the ILO MLC portal provides the international framework.

Monthly pay checklist

• Statement received and saved.
• Basic wage matches SEA/CBA.
• Overtime matches my record.
• Allowances and leave pay are included.
• Every deduction is understood.
• Bank receipt matches the net amount.
• Any difference was reported in writing.