They say seaman salary is enough to make a living. Yes, i agree, if it is handled well. Only then you can say that it is enough. But wait, we only look at what we get, how about what we do not? I mean deductions. Deductions taken out of your salary and how much it costs? I have the same questions when I first started sailing too. Let’s find out!
How does one determine the items and how much will be deducted? To answer this, you must base on the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) which your principal has entered into. There are various CBA that our Union (AMOSUP) has joined into. The NIS/NSA CBA for Norwegian principals and JSU CBA for Japanese principals are example of these.
In this blog, we will talk about the NIS/NSA CBA list of deductions that is taking effect once a member will embark on a Norwegian owned ships.
When salary comes, deductions are…
PHILIPPINE LAW MANDATED DUES
SSS – P581.30 – A mandatory social protection contribution of both employee and the employer. My employer shoulders the remaining amount of maximum salary credit of P1760. They pay P1178.70. Pretty generous huh?
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Philhealth – P437.50 – A health insurance contribution where employee pays for the premiums in return for a guaranteed health benefit.
PAGIBIG – P100 – The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) is a form of fund where members are eligible for low-cost housing loans.
UNION DUES
These are deducted on a monthly basis from the wages of Filipino Seafarers of the vessels for the period that they are onboard as based on the AMOSUP Constitution and BY-Laws:
Union – P943.31 – AMOSUP Union payments from its members. This is use to run different seafarers welfare cause and initiative like the AMOSUP Seamens Hospital, Legal and Social Services, Dormitory etc.
TDAF – P25 – Training and Discretionary Assistance Fund. Use to fund free and subsidized training services to AMOSUP Members.
FMDCP – P2 – Part of Union dues of AMOSUP.
PTGWO – P5 – Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization affiliation fee.
This list of deductions does not include the personal obligations you have with your company like cash advances, training fees, etc.
These deductions total to a mere P2,094.11. So small that we do not even noticed it. However, once we need this benefits in the future, there could be a huge difference in this small contribution that we had.
It was never an issue for me before since it is just a small portion of what I earn but since I have started tracking on where my money went, I researched and inquired about it and now its clear for me and I hope it is clear with you too!