Safety concerns over crew replacement


Transport union RMT has called for government action after discovering that the P&O shipping group was planning to replace Portuguese “OBS” ratings, whose roles include waiter, chef and steward, with Filipino crews on its Pride of York and Pride of Hull ferries this month. 


The union says existing crews are already paid below National Minimum Wage rates to work two-month tours of duty, with no pension provision. The Filipino seafarers will be on the same conditions, but contractually obliged to work for tours lasting up to six months, raising major safety as well as employment concerns.


“The government must take action now to stop P&O and others from shopping around the world for the cheapest seafarers to work on unsafe contracts on ships from UK ports,” said RMT general secretary Mick Cash.

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-demands-government-action-over-pando