Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Sea Freight

New UK bill toughens protection for seafarers

11 Oct 2024 - by Staff reporter
 Source: Marine Insight
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

A new bill to be introduced to the UK Parliament this week will provide new protections specifically devised for seafarers, toughening the laws around collective dismissal, and cementing seafarer wage protections in UK law.

The Employment Rights Bill will seek to outlaw fire and rehire by requiring employers to prove there is no reasonable financial alternative to letting staff go.

It will also close a loophole exploited in 2022 by P&O Ferries to toughen the collective redundancy notification requirements for operators of foreign vessels. Vessel operators planning to dismiss 20 or more employees will first be legally required to notify the UK Government.

The move has been welcomed by Nautilus International director of organising, Martyn Gray. “Ending the scourge of fire and rehire, a damaging practice that has caused widespread instability for maritime professionals, is a victory for seafarers' rights and a strong message of fairness and respect for all workers.”

He added that ensuring that all seafarers regularly working in UK waters were paid at least the national minimum wage equivalent was a welcome development, addressing a long-standing issue of wage exploitation in the industry.

While the union has acknowledged that these measures are an essential milestone in advancing the rights of seafarers, it believes that further strengthening of these protections is needed. “As the government's proposed Employment Rights Bill progresses through Parliament, Nautilus will continue to advocate for additional safeguards to ensure that all seafarers are afforded the same level of protection and dignity, regardless of their nationality or the flags of the vessels they work on,” Gray added.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

DSV completes acquisition of Schenker

Logistics

The acquisition is valued at approximately EUR 14.3 billion.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

Container market outlook bleaker for rest of 2025

Logistics

Complicating matters is overcapacity in the liner trade because of a surge in new vessel deliveries.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

National carrier plans new routes despite constraints

Air Freight

The airline has two pairs of landing slots at London Heathrow, which it is leasing out but could reclaim with adequate notice.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

Chinese ambassador opens door to increased South African trade

Imports and Exports

‘Fruitful’ discussions held with CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association and Fruit SA.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

Maersk opens first integrated logistics hub in Senegal

Logistics

The facility is between the Port of Dakar and the city’s industrial area.

30 Apr 2025
0 Comments

Ramaphosa appoints investment adviser

Domestic

The government is implementing economic reforms to make the country more attractive to investors.

30 Apr 2025
0 Comments

Real-time safety monitoring making an impact

Logistics

The RFA Risk Index indicated that in March, the road freight sector experienced more than 60 criminal incidents per day.

30 Apr 2025
0 Comments

Africa aims for greater policy influence at G20

Economy

Critical priorities include mobilising finance for a Just Energy Transition and debt sustainability for developing economies.

30 Apr 2025
0 Comments

SA proposes new tariffs on renewable energy components

Imports and Exports

The measures would raise customs duties on components used in solar, wind and battery storage systems.

30 Apr 2025
0 Comments

SA sends condolences to Iran after port explosion

Imports and Exports

The explosion was caused by chemicals that ignited in shipping containers.

30 Apr 2025
0 Comments

IMO deadline looms to reduce bunker fuel sulphur

Logistics

Vessels operating in the Mediterranean must cut sulphur limits to 0.1% by 1 May.

30 Apr 2025
0 Comments

Air cargo demand takes off

Air Freight

The strong demand may have been partly due to front-loading as businesses tried to beat Trump’s 2 April tariff announcement.

30 Apr 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Sea Freight May 2025

Border Beat

The N4 Maputo Corridor crossing – congestion, crime and potholes
Today 11:15
Fuel-crime curbing causes tanker build-up at Moz border
08 May 2025
Border police turn the tide on illegal crossings
29 Apr 2025
More

Featured Jobs

New

Estimator (Airfreight Imports)

Tiger Recruitment
East Rand
12 May
New

Sales & Marketing Assistant

Lee Botti & Associates
Johannesburg - North
12 May
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us