New Law Slaps Down Low Wages for UK-Linked Seafarers
The government has slammed the hammer down on dodgy pay for seafarers with ties to the UK. Today, the Seafarers’ Wages Act became law, ensuring workers on international vessels won’t get paid less than the National Minimum Wage.
Cracking Down After P&O Ferries Scandal
- This move is part of a tough 9-point plan introduced after P&O Ferries shamefully axed nearly 800 staff without warning.
- The new law forces vessel operators to prove they’re paying fair wages or face being denied harbour access.
- It also targets firms exploiting legal loopholes to undercut seafarers’ pay.
UK and France Team Up to Protect Seafarers
At the recent UK-France summit in Paris, Transport Secretary Mark Harper and his French counterpart Clément Beaune vowed to join forces to improve working conditions and build pay protections in Channel waters.
Mark Harper said: “Our maritime sector is world-leading thanks to thousands of hardworking seafarers keeping supply chains moving and passengers safe. They deserve a fair wage, and I’m thrilled our Seafarers’ Wages Act is now law to tackle exploitation.”
More Action on ‘Fire and Rehire’ Practices
The government isn’t stopping there. It’s also cracking down on rogue employers who use brutal ‘fire and rehire’ tactics, currently consulting on a Statutory Code of Practice to protect workers from these unfair actions.
With these moves, the UK is sending a clear message: seafarers deserve respect, fair pay, and better protection on the waves.
