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UK announces further support to seafarers’ rights and welfare

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More seafarers will be guaranteed fair wages, proper rest periods and suitable training from a new Seafarers’ Charter launched by the UK government last week.


Building on government action already taken, the charter – backed by DFDS Ferries, Condor Ferries, Brittany Ferries and Stena – is part of the government’s wider Nine-point plan to protect seafarers and boost employment protections, ensuring they’re paid and treated fairly – irrespective of flag or nationality.

This is at the heart of the UK’s response to P&O Ferries’ decision to fire nearly 800 of its staff without consultation or notice last year.

The UK government’s charter will be launched alongside a similar initiative by the French government during a visit by Maritime Minister Baroness Vere to Paris today to meet her counterpart, Minister Berville.

See: UK announces historic boost to seafarers’ rights and welfare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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