Statement according to the Convention on Seafarers' Working Conditions, Standard A2.5.2.

 

The special health insurance scheme and the rules regarding sick and maternity benefits for seafarers cover shipmasters in the same way as seafarers.

 

The special health insurance scheme:

The special health insurance scheme for seafarers is administered by the Danish Maritime Authority and includes subsidies for healthcare services abroad. The scheme particularly covers seafarers working on Danish ships and seafarers who have served on a Danish ship within the past two weeks and have not taken any other service. The scheme also includes seafarers who are survivors of shipowners.

The subsidy corresponds to the subsidy applicable to equivalent benefits in Denmark and is subject to any limitations that may arise from it. The special health insurance covers subsidies for medical assistance, hospital treatment, and medication abroad, similar to the general subsidy rules in Denmark, while subsidies for dental treatment are at 50%.

Subsidies for these services can also be provided in Denmark if there is no other access to subsidies or free treatment.

The subsidy is granted for services abroad for up to 18 weeks from the first full sick day or 18 weeks from the time when medical or dental treatment is sought, even if the seafarer is not on sick leave at that time.

The subsidy is normally granted to the shipping company, but the seafarer or others who have incurred eligible expenses can receive direct reimbursement from the Danish Maritime Authority.

The Danish Maritime Authority can be contacted at sfs@dma.dk and by phone at +45 72 19 60 00.

The detailed rules and conditions for receiving subsidies are laid down in Order No. 1331 of December 5, 2006, regarding the special health insurance scheme for seafarers, etc.

 

Sick pay:

The Danish Maritime Authority administers payment of sick pay to seafarers and reimbursement to shipping companies in connection with paid sick wages. The scheme particularly covers seafarers on Danish ships and seafarers who have served on a Danish ship within the past two weeks and have not taken any other service. The scheme may also cover seafarers who are survivors of shipowners.

Seafarers staying in Denmark are covered by the general sick pay rules administered by their municipality of residence.

Seafarers who are sick when their ship service ends are entitled to wages from their employer for a period of up to 16 weeks (sick wages).

Seafarers who are sick and do not receive sick wages from their employer or shipowner can apply for sick pay from the Danish Maritime Authority if the employment requirement is met.

The Danish Maritime Authority can either pay sick pay to seafarers for up to 18 weeks from the first full sick day or, during the same period, provide reimbursement to an employer or shipowner who pays sick wages to a seafarer.

After the expiration of the Danish Maritime Authority's payment period, the payment is transferred to the seafarer's municipality of residence or the municipality of residence of the shipping company or employer if the seafarer resides in another EU/EEA country. If the seafarer resides outside the EU/EEA, the right to sick pay expires after 18 weeks, unless circumstances warrant an extension, such as in the case of a work-related injury.

 

The Danish Maritime Authority can be contacted at sfs@dma.dk and by phone at +45 7219 6000.

 

The detailed rules and conditions for the payment of sick pay to seafarers are laid down in Order no. 728 of 29 June 2012.

Maternity leave

The employer or the Danish Maritime Authority makes payment of maternity allowance to seafarers. The scheme primarily covers seafarers on Danish vessels, as well as seafarers who have served on a Danish vessel within the past two weeks and have not taken up other employment. The scheme may also cover seafarers who are dependents of the shipowner.

Pregnant Seafarers/New Mothers who are Seafarers

Pregnant seafarers who leave employment due to pregnancy are entitled to subsequent pay (maternity pay) from their employer. A pregnant seafarer will be declared unfit for sea service at the end of the sixth month of pregnancy. A pregnant seafarer is entitled to receive maternity allowance for four weeks before the expected date of birth.

The mother, if she is a seafarer, is entitled to receive maternity allowance for the first 14 weeks after childbirth. This is followed by an additional 10 weeks until the child's 24th week of life, during which the mother and the child's father can freely share the right to maternity allowance if the father is also eligible for maternity allowance as a seafarer.

 

Father of the Child

A seafarer who becomes a father is entitled to receive maternity allowance for two weeks in connection with the child's birth and until the child's 14th week of life, provided that the employment requirement is met. From the child's 15th to 24th week of life, the father may be entitled to maternity allowance as described above, provided that the mother is not receiving maternity allowance under other rules.

If the child's father has been entitled to maternity allowance in connection with the child's birth, the father will also be entitled to receive maternity allowance in the child's 25th and 26th week of life.

Payment

When the employer no longer pays maternity pay, a seafarer has the right to receive maternity allowance according to the above from their municipality of residence or the Danish Maritime Authority.

Seafarers who reside and stay in Denmark have the right to maternity allowance from Udbetaling Danmark. Seafarers who reside or stay abroad have the right to maternity allowance from the Danish Maritime Authority. Seafarers who reside or stay in an EU/EEA country, or who reside in Denmark, will have their maternity benefit case transferred to Udbetaling Danmark for possible continued payment according to the general rules of the Maternity Act when the payment under the regulation on maternity allowance to seafarers ceases.

The Danish Maritime Authority can be contacted at sfs@dma.dk and by phone at +45 72 19 60 00. Udbetaling Danmark can be contacted at www.borger.dk/Sider/Barsel-kontakt and by phone at +45 70 12 80 64.

The detailed rules and conditions for the payment of maternity allowance to seafarers is stipulated in Regulation No. 1110 of November 26, 2012.