Thank you for contacting me about seafarers' wages and P&O Ferries' treatment of its employees.
I was shocked at the extreme and callous treatment demonstrated by P&O Ferries in its decision to make nearly 800 employees redundant by pre-recorded video message.
I support the strong action taken by the then Secretary of State for Transport to confront this, including setting out a package of nine measures designed to force P&O to rethink its decision while sending a clear message to the maritime industry that this will not be tolerated or allowed to happen again.
This package includes new minimum wage enforcement action by HMRC, changes to attract more vessels to sail under the British flag and the provision of new statutory powers for British ports to refuse access to regular ferry services that do not pay their crew the national minimum wage.
The Seafarers' Wages Bill, now making its way through Parliament, will mean that ferry operators which do not pay their crew at least minimum wage will not be able to dock in British ports.
As well as working directly with our trading partners on the establishment of 'minimum wage corridors' for seafarers on direct routes, the UK will pursue worldwide agreements at the International Labour Organisation, pushing for the creation of a common set of principles to support maritime workers, including an international minimum wage, a global framework for maritime training, and tools to support seafarer mental health.
It is imperative that we address the many irregularities which exist between those who work at sea and those who work on land.
I will continue to monitor this matter as it develops.