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Maritime Labour Standards Bill - Clause 1
19 December 2022
Lead MP
Mark Harper
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
EconomyEmployment
Other Contributors: 31
At a Glance
Mark Harper raised concerns about maritime labour standards bill - clause 1 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Britain’s maritime industry must maintain its high standards by investing in people and preventing unscrupulous employers from benefiting from cheaper agency labour. Following the P&O Ferries sackings, the Government proposes legislation to ensure that seafarers with close ties to the UK working on frequent services to UK ports are paid at least an equivalent to the UK national minimum wage while they are in our waters. The Bill aims to prevent companies from replacing their staff with cheaper agency labour and will introduce a surcharge for harbour authorities to enforce compliance, thereby discouraging underpayment of seafarers.
Mark Harper
Con
Fittleworth
Proposes legislation to ensure seafarers with close ties to the UK working on frequent services to UK ports are paid at least an equivalent to the UK national minimum wage. Interventions highlight that the Bill aims to prevent companies from replacing staff with cheaper agency labour, will introduce a surcharge for harbour authorities to enforce compliance, and addresses wider issues of employment rights and market distortions.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow North East
Asks whether the Government is considering changing sections 193 and 194 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 to prevent anyone from doing what P&O did earlier this year.
Matthew Offord
Con
Hendon
Questions why there is a need for the proposed legislation when the maritime labour convention applies to vessels engaging in trade or operating under flags of countries that have ratified the MLC.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Concerned about P&O's new crewing model paying £5.50 per hour, significantly below the minimum wage, and seeks clarification on how to ensure the Bill is firm, hard, and strong.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Amplifies concerns about P&O's common practice of paying below minimum wage level and highlights health and safety risks associated with long working hours for agency staff.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Questions why frequent visits to UK ports were defined as 52 times a year in the Bill's original draft but is now 120 times a year, suggesting it makes it easier for unscrupulous companies to evade paying minimum wage.
Luke Pollard
Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Asks about granting powers to detain a ship in port instead of denying access to ports, suggesting it would deter non-compliance more effectively.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Queries whether resources will be made available for harbour authorities and marine services to carry out additional work required by the Bill, highlighting potential strain on existing staff.
Mark Harper
Con
Fittleworth
Supports the Bill and its nine-point plan to protect seafarer welfare by ensuring responsible ferry operators are not forced out of business due to unscrupulous competitors. Highlights that the Bill will cover most ferries but exclude deep-sea container services and cruises. Emphasises the need for regulations and supporting guidance to set tariff frameworks and calculate national minimum wage equivalents. Mentions ongoing discussions with European partners on minimum wage corridors and the development of a voluntary seafarers’ charter to enhance employment protections.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Asked about potential conflicts of interest when harbour authorities are charged with collecting surcharges if a shipping company owns the port or has an interest in the harbour authority.
Luke Pollard
Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Argued that the Bill should not focus solely on P&O Ferries but recognise good practice among other UK ferry operators such as Brittany Ferries. Emphasised the importance of maintaining routes vital for exports and highlighted examples of better behaviour in the industry.
Highlighted the better behaviour of DFDS operating out of Dover and suggested that issues beyond wages could be better addressed through port-to-port agreements between nations.
Louise Haigh
Lab
Sheffield Heeley
Haigh supports the Bill but calls for stronger provisions to prevent exploitation, such as ending cost deductions from minimum wage, reducing the number of days a vessel must visit UK ports to be covered by the minimum wage requirement, and ensuring HMRC involvement in enforcement. She also highlights P&O's ongoing business-as-usual despite the scandal, questioning why no action has been taken against them.
Iain Stewart
Con
Milton Keynes South
Welcomes the Bill and supports its recommendation to extend national minimum wage coverage to seafarers, recognising it as a step forward but not a full solution. Raises technical questions on international maritime law compliance, enforcement by harbour authorities vs. MCA, and updates on minimum wage corridor discussions with European countries.
Luke Pollard
Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Intervenes to express concern about conflicts of interest when ferry operators have a commercial stake in harbour authorities, suggesting automatic pass-through powers should be given to the Government in such cases.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Welcomed the intent behind the Bill but argued that it needs to be strengthened. Raised concerns about roster patterns, crewing levels, employment protections, and accommodation costs deductions. Called for better rights to redundancy pay, sick pay, consultation, and a sanctions regime with teeth. Highlighted P&O's actions against its staff and the need for legal clarity on insolvency issues.
Karl Turner
Lab
Kingston upon Hull East
The speaker is concerned that the Bill does not go far enough and highlights issues with enforcement, roster patterns, and the definition of 'regular operator' and 'port of call'. He argues for better safety standards and a more inclusive definition to include ferries operating out of Hull.
Mike Amesbury
Lab
Nuneaton
Critiques P&O Ferries' actions to replace 800 seafarers with low-paid agency staff. Argues that the Government's response has been insufficient and falls short of promised protections for workers. Emphasises the need for stronger employment protections, enforcement measures, and closure of loopholes. Calls for justice and accountability for those responsible for exploiting workers.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Intervenes to express outrage at Government funding £50 million to P&O’s parent company, DP World, for freeports despite previous exploitation of workers.
David Linden
SNP
Aberdeen South
Linden acknowledges that there is little love lost between him and the Labour party but criticises P&O Ferries for their disgraceful actions against workers. He urges Elphicke to focus on the core issue of worker treatment rather than criticising unions.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Burgon clarifies that Labour does not seek to oppose the Bill but aims to strengthen and improve it. He challenges Elphicke's use of derogatory language towards trade union leaders, suggesting she should avoid using terms like 'trade union barons' as they are elected by their members.
David Linden
Lab
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Hamilton West
He criticises P&O Ferries for firing directly employed seafarers. He believes the Bill needs significant amendment and improvement as it is not a silver bullet to fix employment issues highlighted by the P&O incident, and it does not address nationality-based pay discrimination on ships working from UK ports.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Ms. Jardine supports the Seafarers' Wages Bill but acknowledges its limitations, stating it is a first step in addressing employment issues faced by seafarers. She mentions that while P&O Ferries represents Britain's maritime heritage, their actions were shameful and exposed major flaws in UK employment legislation affecting seafarers. Ms. Jardine highlights the need for fair pay for seafarers with ties to the UK who do not qualify for the UK national minimum wage, discouraging a race to the bottom in employment standards among operators, and protecting the reputation of the UK maritime sector. However, she also points out concerns about insufficient protections for seafarers, compliance with international conventions, practical implementation, and enforcement.
Hayes and Harlington
McDonnell criticises the bill for being insufficient, describing it as a 'mouse' that does not address the exploitation of seafarers. He outlines historical instances where attempts to reform treatment of seafarers have been obstructed by the Chamber of Shipping and successive governments. He highlights issues such as unfair accommodation charges, lack of enforcement on minimum wage laws in territorial waters, fire and rehire practices, and inadequate crew levels leading to safety concerns. McDonnell urges for comprehensive legislation covering wages, training, safe crew levels, pensions, and regulation of the sector.
Elphicke intervenes to clarify that her observations during a meeting with the Labour leader were not accurately reported by McDonnell. She notes that the Labour leader made disparaging remarks about the Transport Minister in the meeting, which was led by him and focused on planned actions for the following week.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Matt Rodda speaks in support of seafarers’ pensions, criticising DP World for its £146 million debt to the merchant navy ratings pension scheme. He highlights the precedent set by P&O Ferries and other employers contributing positively to the fund, urging DP World to pay their debt urgently.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Grahame Morris supports the Bill but expresses reservations. He criticises P&O’s actions and highlights issues with training, employment opportunities for young people in coastal communities, national minimum wage protection beyond territorial waters limits, accommodation costs deduction, roster patterns, and port-hopping avoidance techniques.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Welcomes the Bill, emphasising the moral responsibility to ensure seafarers are paid at least the minimum British wage. Cites examples from his constituency regarding Filipino seafarers and their financial well-being. Criticises P&O Ferries for its treatment of workers and highlights the need for strong legislation to protect seafarers' rights. Mentions international comparisons showing low wages for seafarers, advocating for stricter penalties against operators who underpay. Supports additional provisions addressing fire-and-rehire practices.
Mike Kane
Lab
Wythenshawe and Sale East
Mr Kane highlighted the importance of protecting seafarers' rights, noting incidents like the P&O scandal where workers were illegally dismissed over a Zoom call. He emphasised the need for criminal liabilities and protection against negligence to prevent such abuses in the future.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Expressed support for the Seafarers' Rights Bill, highlighting its importance in improving seafarers’ protections and welfare. Emphasised that 95% of trade travels by boat and noted the shock caused by P&O's behaviour earlier this year, stressing the need for better standards through legislation and the Government’s nine-point plan.
John McDonnell
Lab
Hayes and Harlington
Asked the Minister to provide a timetable regarding when various agreements will be ready, seeking more detailed information about progress beyond the current bill.
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Assessment & feedback
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