Received from: Nautilus
Merged into composite C04
This Congress welcomes the specific seafarer protections included in the Employment Rights Bill and congratulates this government on seeking to deliver a generational shift in UK maritime employment protection.
However, offshore employment contracts persist in the shipping industry and have the effect of denying many UK resident seafarers full UK employment and social protections. These issues are compounded by the widespread use of ‘flags of convenience’ (FOCs), which undermine good governance and effective control of ships by bona fide flag states such as the UK.
Therefore, Congress calls upon the TUC General Council to support Nautilus International’s campaign for:
i. delivery of legislation that will support and protect the employment of UK resident maritime professionals through the enaction of cabotage and/or domestic employment quotas that will help revitalise coastal communities and regenerate coastal community wealth building
ii. a review of ‘offshore employment’ practices to ensure UK seafarers benefit from full UK employment and social protections
iii. the enforcement of Articles 91 and 94 of UNCLOS, which mandate a ‘genuine link’ and ‘effective control’ of ships to eradicate flags of convenience and to seek to tackle this on the international stage.
These actions are essential to promote employment of UK seafarers ensure better regulation and enforcement in the shipping industry and decent working conditions for all maritime professionals.
Nautilus International
AMENDMENT
In the third paragraph after “Nautilus International’s” and before “campaign” insert “and RMT’s”.
Add new bullets after bullet iii.:
“iv. strengthening the Employment Rights Bill (ERB) Mandatory Seafarers Charter to contain further protections and provisions including holiday and sick pay, pensions and crewing levels, as pledged by Labour.”
“v. the fullest possible application of the ERB for seafarers.”
In the final paragraph, after “seafarers” and before “ensure”, insert “to”.
In the final paragraph after “professionals” replace full stop with comma and insert “including ratings.”
National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers