SUPPORTING SEAFARERS’ RIGHTS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january/february 2025 :: RMTnews 12 RMT has welcomed Jersey’s decision to award the island’s key ferry service contract to DFDS which marks an important step forward in the fight to improve employment standards for seafarers. DFDS recognises RMT on other routes and supports the adoption of a mandatory Seafarers’ Charter, a vital framework to ensure fair pay and decent opportunities for ratings and apprentices working in the short sea ferries sector. The Seafarers Charter enshrines collectively bargained terms and conditions, along with key principles of direct employment, a safe roster pattern, ending voyage only contracts, setting pension and other social security rights above an international minimum, incentives for training UK ratings and cadets and prohibiting deductions for accommodation costs. For decades, incumbent operator Condor Ferries has exploited foreign seafarers on these socially and economically vital freight and passenger services between Portsmouth, Poole, and the Channel Islands. Through its reliance on agency labour, Condor has driven down standards, paying workers appallingly low wages. In 2014, the union exposed that Ukrainian ratings were being paid just £2.35 per hour for three-month voyage-only contracts. Condor’s entire fleet is registered under the Bahamas flag of convenience, a tactic used to avoid meeting UK employment standards and one that mirrors the practices of P&O Ferries. These exploitative practices have suppressed local job creation and denied seafarers the decent wages and secure employment they deserve. RMT calculates that over 200 ratings jobs could be created across the Condor fleet if employment was directly contracted and aligned with domestic standards. These jobs are critical for supporting the freight and passenger services that connect the Channel Islands to the UK, ensuring sustainable links for island communities. £20 million in public funding has been committed to Portsmouth port, which hosts the freight route to Jersey, to decarbonise ferry services. This represents a significant opportunity to create more UK ratings jobs on greener and more sustainable ferry operations. Investments in technologies such as shore-side power will pave the way for electric ferries, delivering environmental benefits while maintaining vital maritime links. RMT will continue to press for these developments to benefit both seafarers and the wider community. The union has a long history of working with Crown Dependency governments to deliver fair and sustainable ferry services. Our recognition agreement with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, a publicly-owned service operated by the Manx Government, demonstrates the value of partnership in improving employment standards and service reliability.  RMT national secretary Darren Procter said that the SUPPORTING SEAFARERS’ RIGHTS Union calls for contracts to be awarded to companies that back Seafarers Charter