# Montenegrin maritime union legal challenge

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/montenegrin-maritime-union-legal-challenge
> Updated: 2026-09-29T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The Independent Maritime and Transport Workers Union of Montenegro has filed an initiative with the Constitutional Court to review specific provisions of the Maritime Safety Act. The union is challenging articles that allow seafarers to voluntarily waive their right to annual leave and permit stays on board for up to 12 months.

The union argues these provisions violate the Constitution and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006), contending that such waivers place seafarers at a disadvantage compared to other workers in Montenegro. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has recommended that the Constitutional Court reject the initiative, maintaining that the law allows competent authorities to determine specific circumstances for waivers and that extended embarkation requires both collective agreements and explicit individual consent.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-29: Labor disputes arise over maritime laws in Montenegro and strike legality in Croatia

Labor disputes are unfolding in Montenegro over maritime safety laws and in Croatia regarding the legality of strikes involving ZET and Zagrebački holding.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/labor-disputes-arise-over-maritime-laws-in-montenegro-and-strike-legality-in-croatia

### 2026-09-27: Montenegrin maritime union challenges sea worker leave laws

A Montenegrin maritime union has challenged the Maritime Safety Act at the Constitutional Court, arguing that provisions allowing seafarers to waive annual leave and work 12-month shifts violate labor standards

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegrin-maritime-union-challenges-sea-worker-leave-laws

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Cite as: Montenegrin maritime union legal challenge. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/montenegrin-maritime-union-legal-challenge