The government has launched a campaign to ensure that all seafarers working in UK waters are paid at least minimum wage rates, following reports that some ships registered abroad were underpaying their workers in UK waters, undercutting UK crews and introducing unfair competition
UK Border Force patrols will begin a campaign handing out information to seafarers and employers in more than 50 languages promoting minimum wage law.
Minimum wage law applies to seafarers when they are working on ships within UK waters and ports regardless of where the ship is registered, or where the worker ordinarily works or lives.
The law also applies on a foreign ship for work performed outside the UK if the seafarers ordinarily work in the UK, and on UK registered ships if some of their work is in the UK and they live in the UK.
Employers failing to pay at least national minimum wage and national living wage can face fines of up to 200% of the underpayment, public naming and, for the worst offences, criminal prosecution.
Business minister Andrew Griffiths said: ‘Seafarers’ work is vital to key UK industries such as fishing, oil and gas. We are determined to ensure they are paid fairly for the work they do, often in challenging conditions.
‘Today we are making it crystal clear that if you work in UK waters you are entitled to at least the minimum wage and all employers – no matter where they’re from – must pay it.’
Report by Pat Sweet
