NO SOCIAL DUMPING IN THE NORTH SEA!

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2012 :: RMTnews 12 Seafarers and offshore workers from across Europe held a ceremony in Aberdeen earlier this month to mourn the decline of local workers employed in the industry and against social dumping in the North Sea. The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), representing unions in the UK, Norway and Denmark, said that the increasing number of non- EU registered vessels operating in the North Sea has led to a large number of British and other European fares being thrown out of work. The ITF event underlined maritime unions' fears over the rising number of vessels registered by owners under flags of convenience (FOC) in countries with little or no labour laws, forcing down pay, long hours and unsafe conditions. Crew members from countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Philippines are increasingly been hired to operate vessels on rock-bottom wages. RMT national secretary Steve Todd said that the decline of British ratings in the North Sea over the years had been dramatic. “Companies appear to be practising ‘under-the-table discrimination’ by refusing applications for jobs from experienced British seafarers while employing low-cost workers from outside instead. “We see more and more British workers being put out of work and put on the dole,” he said. Steve Todd said that the union, along with others, was determined to make progress on the issue. "We have evidence of Indian-flagged vessels employing Indian seafarers on 500 dollars a month. "That equals around a pound an hour and in some cases less," he said. He said that other European seafarers were being forced out of the industry because of low pay. RMT is also calling on the oil and gas industry and Oil and Gas UK to seriously look at the damage being done to the long term skill needs of the industry as there will be a shortage of 15,000 skilled workers over the next five years. “We have to put pressure on the gas companies to get this stopped - and put pressure on the immigration service in how they issue work permits,” he said. ITF-affiliated unions are concerned there are an increasing number of FOC and so-called “national” registered vessels operating in the North Sea employing low cost labour. In addition, vessels registered in the Norwegian 1st registry (NOR) are now being reflagged as a consequence of the unfair competition from other registers whilst continuing regular operation on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, replacing Norwegian seafarers with other nationalities on wage and working conditions far below Norwegian wages and working conditions. Norwegian Maritime Officers’ Association spokesman Captain Hans Sande said that it was a problem facing all unions operating in the region. “The fact that the ship owner has several national seconnd registers to shop among, creates a situation where the traditional registers cannot compete. “As long as the policy of UK, Norway and Denmark is to keep the north sea open for “free competition”, there is no way that we can maintain sustainable recruitment in the long run,” he said . The ITF insists that employers should uphold traditional seafarers’ right to compete for jobs servicing the petroleum industry on the North Sea Continental Shelf based on acceptable wages and working conditions. NO SOCIAL DUMPING IN THE NORTH SEA! Unions unite to demand shipping and offshore employers stop shedding workers in favour of low paid imported labour NEW RFA CONVENOR New Royal Fleet Auxiliary convenor Ian Boyle (right) has taken over from Andy Clare who is returning to sea. There was a delay in Ian starting in his new post servicing RFA members following his election as he was working in the Falklands aboard RFA Black Rover as a Seamen grade 1a. Andy said that he had enjoyed his five years as a convenor. “Ian will have his hands full with disciplines, pay and pension issues, recruiting members, ship visits and generally supporting members and dealing with issues that arise,” he said. National secretary Steve Todd thanked Andy for his service to the union, “Our RFA membership has grown with Andy’s hard work”.