ITF seeks to protect EU seafaring jobs on ferries
"Stop cut-throat free for all" says transport union

 

The European Transport Workers’ Federation is this week showing all Members of the European Parliament why they need to act to prevent the continent’s shipping from descending into a cut throat free for all.

As part of its Sector of Excellence campaign the ETF is briefing MEPs (see More and Better Jobs at Sea) on why the continent’s shipping - and especially the ferry sector - need the same kind of EU oversight already given to other transport modes. Without it, the ETF says, there will be a race to the gutter, as companies scramble to cut conditions.

Already there has been a 19 per cent rise in non-EU/EEA seafarers working on European ferries at the same time as jobs for EU seafarers have dropped sharply. This decline is fuelled by the ability of some employers to pay crews up to 60 per cent less than they would EU nationals.

ETF General Secretary Eduardo Chagas explained: “Many industries in Europe have become used to some form of regulation to enhance competition on quality. It is time EU ferries are treated the same way. Regulation will not only improve job security for EU seafarers and ensure that their skills and experience are maintained to generate wealth within the Union, it will also encourage operators to compete on quality rather than cost.”

Seafarers’ unions across Europe are supporting the campaign with a series to events to lobby politicians.