Moves to give greater protection to those working at sea could be implemented thanks to new legal requirements that the government has now proposed.
Gemma Griffin, Vice President and Head of Global Crewing at DFDS, said: “We are pleased to see the measures being taken by the UK government to further protect seafarers’ rights and restore a level playing field for all operators.”
Part of the government’s landmark Employment Rights Bill, the new amendments have been tabled to pave the way for a legally binding Seafarers’ Charter.
The charter will allow ministers to set higher standards for seafarers’ rights and further protect wages beyond UK waters for seafarers on services regularly calling at UK ports.
Thanks to the amendments tabled, strengthened protections for seafarers include:
- setting maximum periods of work at sea and minimum periods of rest
- robust requirements to manage seafarer fatigue
- reinforced training requirements for operators, such as familiarisation with the vessel, to support safety and skills
The Department for Transport will launch a consultation to gather views from industry and unions on how these new powers can best be implemented.
Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries, added: “We stand right behind this move to strengthen protection for hard-working seafarers. Anyone who has ever worked on a ship understands the importance of good working conditions like regular rest periods. This will help boost crew well-being, creating a safer and more rewarding working environment for all.”
