The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has welcomed 'landmark' legislation that extends the national minimum wage to all merchant seafarers working in UK waters from 1 October.
Previously, the maritime sector was the only UK industry that did not apply the national minimum wage. This prompted years of campaigning for fair pay by Nautilus International and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) chaired talks between the unions and the government in September, resulting in the passage of new legislation to ensure seafarers receive the same pay as workers on shore. It is expected to benefit more than 10,000 maritime workers across the country
This is a major triumph for our lobbying of government and should be welcomed by the industry, as it helps establish a level playing field by putting a floor in the wages of all seafarers in UK waters Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson
'No companies accessing UK ports should be allowed to employ staff on poverty pay. This new law will extend the minimum wage to thousands of key maritime workers in UK waters, and allow them to enforce their rights,' TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said.
'More still needs to be done to tackle seafarer exploitation on international routes from UK ports. But this landmark new law shows what union campaigning can achieve for workers in hard-to-regulate industries like shipping. The RMT and Nautilus International deserve huge credit for securing this legislation.'
Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson said: 'This is a major triumph for our lobbying of government and should be welcomed by the industry, as it helps establish a level playing field by putting a floor in the wages of all seafarers in UK waters, including one-port voyages on the UK continental shelf. It will thus help protect UK seafarer jobs.'
The National Minimum Wage (Offshore Employment) (Amendment) Order 2020 extends the National Minimum Wage Act of 1998 to include all seafarers working on merchant ships in UK waters and offshore energy installations on the UK Continental Shelf, provided that their route includes UK ports only. It does not cover cruise ships.
Tags
More articles
Shipwrecked Mariners' Society announces annual photography winner
The Shipwrecked Mariners' Society has announced the winner of its eighth annual photography competition, which features exceptional images that capture the UK's enduring connection to the sea.
ITF warns against blacklisting and shortcuts during crew change crisis
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) general secretary Stephen Cotton has called on national governments to end the crew change crisis and warned that it cannot be used to justify shortcuts that endanger seafarers' lives and the marine environment.