The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health confirms the MEL insurance contribution every year. Employers and employees always pay an equal share of the contribution. The insurance contribution in 2012 amounted to 22,4% of the employee’s salary, with the employer contributing 11,2% and the employee the remaining 11,2%.

The employer must deduct the employee’s insurance contribution from the employee’s salary and pay the contribution and its own share to the Seafarer’s Pension Fund. Insurance contributions must be paid to the Seafarer’s Pension Fund no later than the 10th day of the second month following the salary payment period. Thus, if the salary payment period is one calendar month, the insurance contribution deducted from January’s salary must be paid by 10 March and the insurance contribution deducted from February’s salary must be paid by 10 April and so on.