Accessibility.SkipToMainContent
Campaigning

Nautilus Fairness campaign to tackle workplace inequalities

3 July 2020

Nautilus launched a global Fairness campaign as Seafarers Awareness Week began, to tackle the worst inequalities faced by workers in the maritime industry.

Despite the reliance nations have on their maritime industries – with 90% of global trade being moved by sea – workers often experience low pay, discrimination, fatigue, mental health issues and poor workplace conditions.

The new campaign commits to promoting a fair deal for all workers.

Most people expect fairness in all aspects of life – fair pay for fair work, fair treatment from others and fair rules and regulations, but too often this isn't the case for those working at sea General secretary Mark Dickinson

At the campaign launch Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson said: 'The seafaring industry is truly unique, and this unfortunately means that sometimes workers find themselves in situations that simply wouldn't happen in most other professions.

'Most people expect fairness in all aspects of life – fair pay for fair work, fair treatment from others and fair rules and regulations, but too often this isn't the case for those working at sea.

'That's why we're committed to securing improvements across all aspects of the industry, to protect those currently working within it and to ensure those contemplating a career in the sector are not put off by out-of-date and simply unfair regulations and loopholes.'

The campaign, launched to mark Seafarers Awareness Week (6-12 July), will work across five key strands: 

Fair Treatment
Fair Access
Fair Pay
Fair Society
Fair Workplaces

The Fairness campaign was given strong backing at Nautilus's 2019 General Meeting.

Nautilus will also conduct research to understand the current standard of living and working conditions onboard, exposing cases where seafarers and maritime professionals are treated unfairly by employers, while also sharing best practice to support the mental and physical wellbeing of members at sea. Improvements to connectivity at sea and stamping out bullying and harassment will be a focus.

On 24 June for International Day of the Seafarer Nautilus launched its Nautilus Fair Treatment App, which provides members with instant access to Union advice and support following an incident at sea.

The App was developed after survey of Nautilus members revealed 90% are concerned about the prospect of criminalisation at work and two thirds said it has an impact on the way they feel about working in shipping.

Callout Image

Nautilus Fair Treatment App

Nautilus has launched a Fair Treatment App for members to record incidents at sea. Available in either iTunes or Android Playstore.

Sign in for the Nautilus App

Tags

More articles

Nautilus news

Nautilus new Fair Treatment App is a 'friend in your pocket' wherever you are

Nautilus International celebrated International Day of the Seafarer with the launch of a new Nautilus Fair Treatment App, which provides members with instant access to Union advice and support following an incident at sea.

  • News
  • 24 June 2020
Industrial

Union pressure sees P&O Ferries revise planned redundancies

P&O Ferries has revised down proposed officer redundancies and acknowledged the need to retain additional skilled maritime professionals following intense negotiations with Nautilus International.

  • News
  • 03 July 2020
Nautilus news

Union celebrates successful Charter for jobs campaign as National Minimum Wage amendments pass House of Lords

Nautilus has achieved one of the most important points on its long-running Charter for Jobs campaign – to apply the National Minimum Wage to all vessels engaged in UK waters.

  • News
  • 29 June 2020
Government

Sound your horns for critical crew changes

Ship crew globally are being encouraged to sound their horns in ports at 12 midday local time on 8 July, the day before a UK government summit on Covid-19 crew changes.

  • News
  • 30 June 2020
Law

Seafarers win redundancy payments after long battle

A long-running battle to secure compensation owed to Nautilus members by offshore vessel operator Seahorse Maritime Ltd has finally come to an end.

  • News
  • 03 July 2020
Government

'Give MPs earache' with letter-writing campaign on pandemic pay and tax

Nautilus has been working hard to ensure members are treated fairly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Successes have included persuading the UK government to designate seafarers as key workers and ensuring the furlough scheme is applied to as many maritime professionals as possible. But there are still some stubborn outstanding issues, and action is now needed from large numbers of individual members to get the government's attention.

  • News
  • 01 July 2020
Education and training

Glasgow's maritime graduates honoured online as Covid-19 cancels cathedral ceremony

City of Glasgow College has turned a tough situation into a celebration by recognising its Class of 2020 with a dedicated webpage and a commemorative brochure.

  • News
  • 02 July 2020
Industrial

BP Offshore crews likely to face redundancies as 'Caledonian' vessels are sold

Nautilus has started negotiations to reach the best possible deal for members on four BP Offshore vessels which are being sold as their bareboat charters end in 2020 and 2021.

  • News
  • 02 July 2020
International

Continued government apathy on crew change is leaving shipping at crisis point

Ship registries have been warned not to take shortcuts on crew changes by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).

  • News
  • 30 June 2020
Government

Nautilus welcomes UK prime minister's commitment to 'global keyworkers' in crew change crisis

Nautilus has welcomed a commitment from UK prime minister Boris Johnson to address the plight of seafarers stranded by the Covid-19 crew change crisis.

  • News
  • 25 June 2020

Fair Treatment for seafarers 2019 report

An investigation into criminalisation of maritime professionals by the Nautilus Federation unions.