Do seafarers have special employment protections?

Seafarers are protected by the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, which sets minimum standards for employment agreements, wages, hours of rest, accommodation, food, medical care and repatriation. New Zealand has ratified the Convention and gives it effect through the Maritime Transport Act 1994 and the Maritime Rules, so ships visiting New Zealand can be inspected for compliance. Maritime New Zealand conducts port state control inspections and can investigate complaints about unpaid wages or unsafe conditions and detain a ship until deficiencies are fixed. Seafarers can contact Maritime New Zealand or a seafarers' welfare organisation, and unions like the Maritime Union or the International Transport Workers' Federation can help with unpaid wages claims. He should keep copies of his employment agreement, payslips, and any messages about pay.