[UK] Ministers have ‘done nothing’ to prevent repeat of P&O Ferries scandal

In the UK, on the second anniversary of the P&O Ferries mass sacking scandal, unions have called for proper legal protection for seafarers and warned that ministers have “done nothing” to stop other companies taking the same action, The Guardian reports.

On March 17, 2022, P&O Ferries fired 786 British crew so it could replace them with low-paid agency staff. The firm admitted to breaking the law, however, it has continued operating without sanction and undercutting rival operators on labour costs.

Unions reportedly stated that despite the strong reaction given by the government at the time, ministers had failed to close the legal loopholes exploited by the cross-Channel ferry operator and had not sanctioned P&O or its owner, DP World.

The government pledged to pass a seafarers’ wages act - to try to enforce minimum wage legislation for boats operating primarily in British waters - but the legislation has yet to pass.

It did launch a seafarers’ charter but, although ferry operators including DFDS, Stena Line, Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries are signatories to the commitment to work towards higher standards, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries have not signed up.

The TUC, with Nautilus International and the RMT, issued a joint statement calling for a mandatory seafarers’ charter with more protection for workers.

The statement said, “The government has done nothing to stop another P&O Ferries scandal. Despite admitting to acting illegally, P&O Ferries have faced no sanctions and have seemingly been let off the hook.

“Having feigned outrage at P&O Ferries’ actions, ministers have reneged on their promise to clamp down on bad bosses, failed to deliver an employment bill and failed to close the legal loopholes exploited by P&O Ferries.”

The statement reportedly added that proposed reforms “fall far short of what’s needed”, with a “feeble code of practice on fire-and-rehire that only makes breaking the law a bit more expensive” and a welfare charter that “was not mandatory – so bad employers can just ignore it, safe in the knowledge they will face zero consequences”.

Since the scandal, P&O Ferries has hired low-paid crew from around the world on short-term contracts, via an agency. Peter Hebblethwaite - P&O’s chief executive - told MPs he knew the firm was breaking the law. He still holds the role, despite the then transport secretary Grant Shapps describing his position as “completely unsustainable”.

A government spokesperson said, “We have worked at pace to bring forward our Seafarers’ Wages Act, consulting extensively with industry and unions to ensure we have ironclad legislation in place to help prevent this from happening again, while working to strengthen seafarer rights around the world.

“We expect to bring this into force in the summer, around the same time as French legislation, forming an international minimum wage corridor across the Dover strait.”

Source: The Guardian

(Links and quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, on the second anniversary of the P&O Ferries mass sacking scandal, unions have called for proper legal protection for seafarers and warned that ministers have “done nothing” to stop other companies taking the same action, The Guardian reports.

On March 17, 2022, P&O Ferries fired 786 British crew so it could replace them with low-paid agency staff. The firm admitted to breaking the law, however, it has continued operating without sanction and undercutting rival operators on labour costs.

Unions reportedly stated that despite the strong reaction given by the government at the time, ministers had failed to close the legal loopholes exploited by the cross-Channel ferry operator and had not sanctioned P&O or its owner, DP World.

The government pledged to pass a seafarers’ wages act - to try to enforce minimum wage legislation for boats operating primarily in British waters - but the legislation has yet to pass.

It did launch a seafarers’ charter but, although ferry operators including DFDS, Stena Line, Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries are signatories to the commitment to work towards higher standards, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries have not signed up.

The TUC, with Nautilus International and the RMT, issued a joint statement calling for a mandatory seafarers’ charter with more protection for workers.

The statement said, “The government has done nothing to stop another P&O Ferries scandal. Despite admitting to acting illegally, P&O Ferries have faced no sanctions and have seemingly been let off the hook.

“Having feigned outrage at P&O Ferries’ actions, ministers have reneged on their promise to clamp down on bad bosses, failed to deliver an employment bill and failed to close the legal loopholes exploited by P&O Ferries.”

The statement reportedly added that proposed reforms “fall far short of what’s needed”, with a “feeble code of practice on fire-and-rehire that only makes breaking the law a bit more expensive” and a welfare charter that “was not mandatory – so bad employers can just ignore it, safe in the knowledge they will face zero consequences”.

Since the scandal, P&O Ferries has hired low-paid crew from around the world on short-term contracts, via an agency. Peter Hebblethwaite - P&O’s chief executive - told MPs he knew the firm was breaking the law. He still holds the role, despite the then transport secretary Grant Shapps describing his position as “completely unsustainable”.

A government spokesperson said, “We have worked at pace to bring forward our Seafarers’ Wages Act, consulting extensively with industry and unions to ensure we have ironclad legislation in place to help prevent this from happening again, while working to strengthen seafarer rights around the world.

“We expect to bring this into force in the summer, around the same time as French legislation, forming an international minimum wage corridor across the Dover strait.”

Source: The Guardian

(Links and quotes via original reporting)