A voluntary charter isn’t going to stop another P&O Ferries scandal

Commenting on the seafarers’ charter announced by the government today (Monday), TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

“A voluntary charter isn’t going to stop another P&O Ferries scandal from happening.

“But it’s a small step forward and the direct result of unions raising concerns over unsafe working patterns for seafarers and poor workplace conditions.

“Make no mistake. We won’t rest until proper protections for seafarers are introduced.

“Unions wanted the charter to be part of a legally binding act. This would have provided far more bite than a voluntary code and a far better enforcement mechanism.”

Commenting on the ongoing threat posed by rogue employers like P&O Ferries, Paul added:

“Despite behaving like corporate gangsters, P&O Ferries has been allowed to get away scot-free.

“Instead of attacking workers’ right to strike, ministers should get on with boosting worker protections and closing legal loopholes. And they should introduce fair pay agreements for the ferry sector to get pay rising.

“That’s how you stop rogue employers like P&O Ferries from acting with impunity.”