Published in : 29.03.2023
Last update : 30.03.2023
By : Clotilde Martin

A year ago, 800 sailors from the British ferry company P&O were laid off. The UK has finally passed legislation that will ensure seafarers are paid at least the minimum wage on March 23. France followed suit on March 28.

The P&O company fired “with immediate effect” 786 British seamen he employed on March 17, 2022.

P&O ferries have been placed on standby in Europe before restarting with staff abroad, paid below the UK national minimum wage (£9.50 per hour from April 2022).

British Minister of Transport presented in the coming weeks a set of measures to modify the country’s legislation. But the months passed and last week, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) had highlighted “the inaction of the British government.”

The entry into force of the law it was finally announced on March 23, 2023. Its aim is to allow “thousands of seafarers who regularly enter UK waters” to avoid being paid less than the minimum wage (£10.42 as of April 2023).

The Antenna clarifies the content of the British law.

In Francethe national assembly adopted a bill on 28th March aimed at combating “social dumping” in passenger transport between France and the United Kingdom.

The deputies of La France Insoumise (Nupes group), although they did not vote in favor of the text, nevertheless salute the progress for seafarers:

• “Like the requirement of a work rhythm for sailors that guarantees parity in time on board and on land, in addition to respecting the minimum wage”.
• The adoption of one of its amendments allows “These provisions also apply to “crew” companies (private seafarer recruitment and placement services), the use of which was expanded by the 2015 Macron law”.
• ” His request to prohibit the use of the French International Registry in the link across the English Channel was taken up by the Minister in a draft decree..

They share several regrets:

• “The legal framework of a police law chosen by this text, if it is intended to be effective in the short term, is too limited in the face of problems.
• The government’s refusal to enshrine in law the requirements for increased overtime, paid vacations and, above all, a strict limit to the working day.

LFI deputies (Nupes) conclude : “This text is a step that calls on others to defend French social law. We call for the rapid and strict application of the provisions adopted. And, beyond that, we now demand the end of the European flags of convenience and extend the fight against dumping to other maritime links, particularly in the Mediterranean”..

The Merchant Marine Journal returns to the other reactions.