French government acting on P&O Ferries before the UK is a “national embarrassment” – TUC

The TUC says it is a “national embarrassment” that the French government is acting to close legal pay and hours loopholes exploited by P&O Ferries before the UK.

The comments come in the wake of France changing the law to force all cross-Channel ferry operators to pay at least the French minimum wage and limit the hours the agency crew are able to work without rest.

ITV News and the Guardian reported that P&O Ferries has paid some of its crew less than £5 an hour – markedly less than the UK minimum wage.

P&O Ferries also currently expects some crew to work seven days a week, for up to 17 weeks at a time, without a break.

Commenting on the changes, the French Maritime Minister blasted conditions on P&O Ferries as “dangerous” and “not moral”.

In a joint statement issued on the 2 year anniversary of the mass sacking, the TUC, Nautilus and RMT joined forces to warn the government has “done nothing” to stop another P&O Ferries from happening.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

“The French Maritime minister is right – these conditions are dangerous and immoral.

“It’s a national embarrassment that the French government is acting to close legal pay and hours loopholes exploited by P&O Ferries while the UK government still dithers.

“Two years ago, when P&O Ferries unlawfully sacked 800 seafarers without notice or consultation, Conservative ministers said they would change the law to make sure this is never allowed to happen again.

“But the feeble reforms ministers have brought in so far won’t stop another P&O Ferries-type scandal.

“In fact, seafarers’ conditions have only deteriorated since 2022.

“It’s time for a mandatory seafarers’ charter to boost pay and conditions in the ferries sector.

“And we need a new deal for workers – like Labour is proposing – to make our labour laws fit for the 21st century and give all workers the protection they need. “