Seafarers’ pay victory

The RMT maritime union has welcomed the implementation of regulations introduced last month that will outlaw pay discrimination against EU nationals on UK flagged ships trading wholly or partly in UK territorial waters.

The long-standing practice of paying different rates to seafarers from the European Economic Area based on their country of residence ended on 1 August.

The loophole has been closed by extending the Equality Act 2010 to cover seafarers and work on ships, although seafarers from outside the European Economic Area will still not have statutory protection.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “We have fought a long and sustained campaign to outlaw discrimination on UK flagged ships and have taken our case right up to the highest levels within the EU. With the support of our Parliamentary Group and our sister unions we have achieved the breakthrough that comes into force today.”