PARLIAMENTARY COLUMN

Parliamentary column EQUALITY FOR SEAFARERS Ever since I joined the Merchant Navy in 1960 and shipped out to foreign climes, seafarers have been discriminated against in one way or another and sadly it’s still the case today. In the last few months The Equality Bill has been going through Parliament and its main purpose is to harmonise discrimination law and promote equality but it’s also the legislative vehicle that the RMT Parliamentary Group have been using to make amendments designed to bring fairness to seafarers pay and conditions and I’ve been pleased to lead on these important issues. As a result of the debate, my amendments got a good airing and we were able raise the profile of seafarers and pay and the terrible exploitation that takes place. In addition, the RMT postcard campaign has resulted in many MPs raising the issue directly with the Shipping Minister. RMT has for several years been pressing the Department for Transport (DfT) to end the long standing discrimination against seafarers as contained within the 1976 Race Relations Act. The RMT Parliamentary Group has lobbied Ministers intensively, and together we have also been seeking protection for non-domicile seafarers serving on ships trading between UK Ports so that they are covered by the National Minimum Wage. The two amendments I put down would have the effect of bringing about these changes in the law. Just prior to the debate at Report Stage of the Bill on December 2 2009, the government finally published regulations to reform the seafarers’ exemption in the 1976 Race Relations Act. It appears that the proposed legislation will at least cover all EEA nationals on UK flagged ships or EEA flag states, plus seafarers from states with corresponding rights under EC Law, and maybe some other non-EU nationals depending on the evidence submitted to the DfT arising from the consultation. In certain, more limited, circumstances seafarers on EEA flagged ships may also be covered. The debate in Parliament follows an intensive campaign by the RMT Parliamentary Group in the last few weeks. Ann Cryer MP, an RMT sponsored MP who is a member of the Labour Party backbench Parliamentary Committee, has personally raised this with the Prime Minister. As a result of this a meeting was facilitated with the Equality Minister Vera Baird. On the same day RMT met with the Shipping Minister Paul Clark, alongside the deputy general secretary of the TUC, Frances O’ Grady, and Nautilus. In the debate on the seafarer amendments on the Equality Bill we raised specific examples of below National Minimum Wage rates of pay and highlighted legal advice from RMT which states that contrary to Foreign Office objections it is legally sound to implement National Minimum Wage provisions on non-UK flagged ships if they are trading between UK Ports. It is a great shame that the Parliamentary process meant that no vote was taken on the amendments but the debate has highlighted the RMT case. The convener of our group, John McDonnell pressed the Equality Minister on a tight timetable to ensure that the seafarer amendments on the Race Relations Act make the necessary Parliamentary progress alongside the Bill, so they can be signed off prior to the General Election. On the National Minimum Wage the Foreign Office has sought to kill off progress on the grounds of dubious legal opinion. However our debate on the floor of the House has ensured that this issue is now still being pursued. Accordingly, I have tabled a further early day motion 294, specifically raising the blocking tactics of the Foreign Office. Work is needed to secure the passage of the regulations through Parliament. Our Parliamentary Group will therefore be continuing to support RMT in making representations to Ministers. The New Year will also see our group and the union re-doubling our efforts to improve the training and job prospects for British seafarers when I lead a delegation, which will include Bob Crow and John McDonnell to meet the Prime Minister. Thanks for your continued support in the battle for justice for seafarers. Gwyn Prosser MP for Dover RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: january 2010 :: RMTnews 9