RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The social security protection is one of the essential elements of decent work. The issue is complexand no previous epidemiological studies of the coverage among the seafarers have yet been performed. AIM: The aim was to overcome the gap of knowledge to promote the further discussion and plan the implementationof the social security for all the seafarers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The seafarers completed a short questionnaire concerning their knowledge abouttheir social security status. RESULTS: The significant disparities in the social security coverage were pointed out among the nationalities.Especially it is worth mentioning that more than half of the respondents believe they are economicallyuncovered for disability from an injury on board and from a work-related disease. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the ILO (Convention No. 143) statements that the significant part of theseafarers comes from the poorer countries without the substantial social security systems. The solutionssuggested are to implement the minimum requirements as recommended by the ILO 2006 Convention, tosurvey the implementation and - in the long term - to struggle for a global social equality.