Seafarers working in the UK could soon be covered by stronger wage and collective dismissal protections thanks to a new Employment Rights Bill introduced by the government this week.
The legislation seeks to end the ‘fire and rehire’ practices used by some carriers to force through contract changes and will also strengthen collective redundancy laws to require more work from companies planning to dismiss 20 or more staff at the same time.
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Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “These long overdue changes will shield workers from the mistreatment of having their terms and conditions ripped up before their eyes, while benefiting good employers to compete on quality and innovation, rather than a race to the bottom.”
Introduction of the legislation comes after ferry operator P&O was heavily criticised by politicians and industry figures alike for firing hundreds of its seafarers to replace them with lower paid agency workers in 2022, putting ‘fire and rehire’ practices in the political spotlight.
Southampton-based cruise line Carnival UK was also pressured into withdrawing plans to take similar action with 919 of its seafarers in 2023 after external criticism and last minutes talks with maritime union Nautilus.
The new bill will also support the previously passed Seafarer’s Wages Act, which the government is planning on bringing into force from 1 December 2024 and will require foreign operators calling regularly at UK ports to pay seafarers the equivalent of the UK national minimum wage.
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By GlobalDataTransport Secretary Louise Haigh described P&O’s “mass sacking” as a “national scandal” and said the measures introduced by the new laws will prevent other carriers from taking advantage of the law in similar ways.
She said: “Make no mistake – this is good for workers and good for business. Cowboy operators like P&O Ferries will no longer be able to act with impunity – undercutting good employers in the process.”
The wages legislation is part of a broader attempt to improve seafarer working conditions on an international scale, with the UK previously working with the French government to coordinate legislation on the issue and protect workers on ferries across the English Channel.
The UK government said it is also set to “introduce powers” making it easier to implement international conventions on seafarer employment rights and will explore option to introduce mandatory employment standards at sea.
Nautilus welcomed the new legislation with Martyn Gray, director of organising at the union, saying it would address “long-standing” issues in the sector.
He said: “We will work closely with lawmakers as the Bill moves forward to ensure it delivers the strongest possible protections for seafarers and maritime professionals. We remain committed to ensuring that the maritime industry is fair, equitable, and safe for all who work in it.”
