Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Seafarer Welfare: P&O Ferries

Thursday 21 March 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Charlotte Nichols questioned the Government on the adequacy of seafarer welfare standards on P&O Ferries' fleet and inquired about closing a legal loophole that allowed for worker dismissals without criminal sanctions.
  • Louise Haigh inquired why the UK has not acted similarly to France in changing laws to prevent exploitative practices by P&O Ferries, following revelations of underpayment and overwork.
  • Gavin Newlands criticized the Government for insufficient progress on the nine-point plan and the delayed implementation of the Seafarers' Wages Act.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North
Employment Transport
Context

Two years ago, P&O Ferries dismissed nearly 800 seafarers without notice or consultation. This raised concerns about the adequacy of seafarer welfare standards.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of seafarer welfare standards on P&O Ferries' fleet? I am concerned that trade union rights and employment law were bypassed, allowing P&O to avoid criminal sanctions. Why hasn't this legal loophole been closed?

Answer from Anthony Browne

The Government have introduced measures to improve seafarer welfare, including the Seafarers' Wages Act 2023, which will ensure minimum wage compliance for UK seafarers and open a minimum wage corridor with France. We expect all operators to meet international standards under the Maritime Labour Convention.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The loophole that allowed P&O Ferries to dismiss workers without facing criminal sanctions was not addressed.

How: As I Said, We Have Introduced Measures

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Q2 Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North
Employment Transport
Context

P&O Ferries dismissed nearly 800 seafarers two years ago without notice or consultation. This action bypassed trade union rights and employment law due to a legal loophole.

Question

Two years after the dismissal of nearly 800 P&O Ferries workers, why has the Government not closed the legal loophole that allowed these actions? The workers were UK-based but the ships were flagged out, avoiding criminal sanctions. What specific steps will be taken to prevent future abuses?

Answer from Anthony Browne

We have introduced measures such as the Seafarers' Wages Act 2023, which ensures minimum wage compliance for UK seafarers. We also opened a minimum wage corridor with France and are working on the seafarer charter to ensure higher standards.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The loophole allowing P&O Ferries to dismiss workers without criminal sanctions was not addressed.

How: We Have Introduced Measures

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Q3 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Employment Transport Energy
Context

P&O Ferries dismissed nearly 800 workers two years ago, bypassing UK employment law due to foreign flagging. Recently, an investigation revealed poor working conditions including low pay and excessive hours.

Question

Two years after the dismissal of P&O Ferries workers, nothing has changed despite revelations of exploitative practices such as underpayment and overwork. France has acted by changing laws; when will the UK act similarly to prevent these abuses in our waters?

Answer from Anthony Browne

The Seafarers' Wages Act will ensure minimum wage compliance and prevent fatigue. The charter will require rosters to avoid overworking seafarers, ensuring safety and preventing exploitation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or concrete action was provided for addressing exploitative practices.

How: The Seafarers' Wages Act Will Ensure, We Have The Minimum Wage Corridor

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Q4 Gavin Newlands SNP
Employment Transport
Context

Nearly two years since nearly 800 P&O workers were dismissed, the Government's fire-and-rehire code of practice will be debated next week. The Seafarers' Wages Act is yet to come into force.

Question

It has been over two years since nearly 800 P&O Ferries workers were summarily sacked and thrown off ferries. Despite claims of substantial progress on the nine-point plan, the Seafarers' Wages Act still hasn't come into force and the voluntary charter will not change how P&O operates. Why is meaningful action not being taken?

Answer from Anthony Browne

The Seafarers' Wages Act will come into force this summer. The charter will ensure minimum wage compliance, overtime payments, and rostering to prevent fatigue and compromise safety.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific reasons were given for the delay in implementing meaningful action.

How: Unfortunately, It Takes Time, We Had To Consult On It

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