RACE RELATIONS ACT AND THE MINIMUM WAGE

Early day motion 2191, tabled 16 May 2006 by Gwyn Prosser (Labour). Signed by 69 members.

That this House is deeply concerned that the United Kingdom Government is currently in breach of European Free Movement of Workers provisions in its treatment of other EU nationals through specific discrimination against seafarers that continues to be permitted through the Race Relations Act 1976; notes that seafarers are only entitled to the protection of the national minimum wage in United Kingdom internal and not territorial waters; further notes the continued employment of foreign national seafarers on rates of pay below the national minimum wage on United Kingdom ships and in United Kingdom territorial waters; welcomes the fact that the Government has acknowledged that the seafarers' exemption contained within the Race Relations Act 1976 needs reform; therefore urges the Government to ensure that the exemption in the Race Relations Act 1976 is fully and urgently repealed; and calls on the Government to ensure that seafarers are properly protected by the United Kingdom minimum wage on United Kingdom ships within United Kingdom waters.

Signatures by party: Labour 57, Liberal Democrat 7, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.