Thousands of seafarers are set to be better protected under new proposals announced by the UK Government today (Friday 5 June), which seek to cement proper rest periods, fairer pay and stronger rights and protections in law.
Following the introduction of the national minimum wage equivalent for seafarers in domestic waters, the new laws would guarantee minimum rest periods and fair pay for every seafarer working on frequent crossings between the UK and France and the Channel Islands, extending protections beyond UK territorial waters for the first time.
Responding to this news, Stuart Rivers, CEO of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board which is the UK’s umbrella charity for the UK Merchant Navy and fishing fleets that serves 47 member charities, said:
“We welcome today’s announcement as a positive step forward for seafarers. Welfare should be at the heart of every decision affecting people who work at sea, because behind every crossing, every shift and every journey is a person whose wellbeing, dignity and family life matter.
“Seafarers are too often unseen, spending long periods away from their families, yet they keep goods moving, communities connected and the country supplied. Without them, the supply chain would grind to a halt. That is why it is so important that welfare is not treated as an afterthought, but as a central part of how we value and support the people our maritime economy depends on.”
Measures being consulted on include:
- Seafarers being paid the equivalent of at least the National Minimum Wage throughout journeys between the UK and France and Channel Islands
- Setting maximum periods of work at sea and minimum periods of rest
- These measures build on existing legislation covering UK waters and form part of the Government’s commitment to improve the working conditions of seafarers.
- This comes as the Government confirms which operators have met the requirements of the Seafarers’ Charter, which sets out higher standards for seafarer welfare, working conditions and pay beyond existing legal requirements, including on social welfare provision, fairer contracts, quality training and professional development. The Government committed to publishing which operators have met the requirements of the Charter so consumers can see which companies are meeting the highest standards for their workers.
Following an assessment of applications provided by operators, the Government has confirmed that DFDS, Brittany Ferries and Stena Line have all successfully achieved Seafarers’ Charter Status on their services between the UK and France and the Channel Islands.
In addition, P&O Ferries has made considerable progress and provided evidence of compliance with all of the requirements except one aspect of social welfare provision on its routes between the UK and France. We will continue to work with all operators to ensure the strongest protections possible.
Maritime Minister Keir Mather said:
“Seafarers are the unsung heroes of our economy – keeping the country safe, supplied and moving, often far from home. They deserve nothing less than the strongest possible protections, and we are determined to deliver exactly that.
“We are moving faster and going further than ever before to cement seafarers’ rights in law – introducing protections beyond UK territorial waters for the first time and setting a new gold standard for the industry.”
To ensure protections keep pace with a changing industry, the Government will review the Seafarers’ Charter in the next two years and will continue to engage with both industry and trade unions throughout, so that standards remain up to date and adapt with the times.
