UK union protests against social dumping in shipping

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) organised protests against social dumping on 17 and 18 August in Southampton and Portsmouth respectively. The protests were well attended with representatives from four other unions and the ITF attending to lend their support, including Jon Whitlow, ITF seafarers’ section secretary.

The RMT has repeatedly drawn attention to the exploitation of overseas workers and the UK government’s so-called ‘light touch’ regulations that leave seafarers vulnerable to exploitation on grounds of their nationality.

Condor Ferries employs Ukrainian seafarers on £2.35 (US$3.68) per hour or £28.12 (US$44) per day for a 12-hour shift. They work on a 'three month on, one month off' basis on routes between Portsmouth, Weymouth or Poole and the Channel Islands. The UK’s national minimum wage for workers over the age of 21 is just over £6 per hour (US$9.40).

RMT general secretary Bob Crow, said: “The super-exploitation of foreign nationals in the British shipping industry is a massive scandal that the political elite want to keep quiet. That’s no surprise as it’s their wealthy mates running the shipping companies who benefit from this scam that dodges normal employment regulations while the European Union turns a blind eye.”

Stephen Cotton, ITF maritime co-ordinator, said: “The behaviour of Condor Ferries is utterly scandalous. The company is recruiting Ukrainian seafarers specifically so that it can exploit them by paying way below the national minimum wage. The ITF entirely supports the RMT’s protests and hopes Condor Ferries will be publicly shamed into ending this pay discrimination.”