Received from: Nautilus
Congress notes that UK seafarers work across the globe and often in areas deemed high risk. These workers are particularly at risk during times of heightened international tensions.
British seafarers onboard these and other vessels are often caught up in situations outside of their control but continue to face these risks in order to deliver essential resources to the UK.
These risks include the threat of attack from foreign military, as seen in the Arabian Gulf, or the threat of piracy and hostage-taking which remains prevalent in the Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Guinea.
The UK’s Warlike Operations Area Committee (WOAC) is a joint structure between the maritime unions and ship owners to consider at risk areas and potential responses to them.
Congress calls for the TUC to support unions with members operating in areas that have been designated “warlike zones” by WOAC, and to support any master who puts their crews’ safety first and carries out what they deem is appropriate to maintain safety.
Congress also calls for the government to increase naval support to all UK vessels and seafarers transiting through high-risk areas and ensure a coherent response across departments to ensure the safety of seafarers on UK ships.
Nautilus International
Amendment
- Add new paragraph at end:
“Congress recognises the essential role of the 2,000 seafarers employed on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and notes the serious attacks on their pay, pensions and redundancy rights since 2008-09. Congress supports RMT’s campaign for fair pay for RFA and calls on the government to agree a meaningful increase in pay.”
National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers