Nautilus International, in the United Kingdom to ferry crews must be guaranteed the minimum wage

"It is scandalous that the government knew that more than two years ago the government knew that there was a problem with the legislation but not the law," RMT said in a statement on the basis of the government's statement. has intervened. Their failure has now led to today's crisis. We ask that the prime minister meet the fired workers, " Lynch said. We do not want an opportunity for photographs. We want him to sit down and say what emergency initiative to take to cancel the redundancies. "

In addition, the RMT's secretary general commented on the fact that the seafarers that P&O hired to replace seafarers employed on the route departing from Dover who he fired would be of Indian nationality and would be paid 2.38 an hour. "The news that the seafarers who are now on board the ships in British ports are being paid 2.38 an hour represents a shocking exploitation of those seafarers and another heartbreaking betrayal of those who have been killed." fired. The rule of law and acceptable standards of work and dignified behaviour are completely frank under the white cliffs of Dover and other ports. Yet five days from the start of this national crisis the government has done nothing to stop it. You don't have to allow the shame that these ships can sail. The government has to step in now and take control before it is too late. "

Pointing out that the 1.81 an hour that P&O Ferries would pay to seafarers who have replaced those laid off account for only a fifth of the current minimum wage in the UK that is 8.91 an hour and is far below the wage dignified that amounts to 9.50 per hour according to figures from the same government in London, the Nautilus International trade union denounced that this figure makes it in fact impossible for the UK's seamen to compete for these roles. In addition, the union noted that if in October 2020, after a long campaign, Nautilus International and partner unions had finally succeeded in changing the law so that crews on board ships sailing between the ports of the UK or on the continental shelf of the United Kingdom should receive at least the UK minimum wage regardless of their country of residence, nationality or ship flag, Nautilus International complained whereas this does not, however, apply to the crews of the vessels flying the foreign flag operating services between UK ports and foreign ports, including ferries at the centre of the current dispute. It is a loophole that must now be precluded, " the union said.

Furthermore Nautilius International said many seafarers who were recruited by P&O Ferries to replace those fired would have already left work once they were found to have been called to replace fired seafarers in tronc. The union also said that, responding to its calls, the British Coast Guard confirmed that it would carry out inspections of all eight P&O Ferries vessels before giving its own green light to the resumption of services. maritime. "In particular," Martyn Gray noted for Nautilus International-this is crucial for Dover ferries, as crossing the English Channel is like trying to drive a bus through the M25 in rush hour : it is not a place for a crew without experience of the ship ".