NON-PAYMENT OF NATIONAL LIVING WAGE AND SEAFARER EMPLOYMENT ON OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS

Early day motion 231, tabled 15 June 2016 by Ian Mearns (Labour). Signed by 29 members.

That this House is concerned by ongoing job losses, alleged visa abuses and low pay in the offshore supply vessel (OSV) sector which services the UK oil and gas industry in the North Sea; notes that the downturn in oil prices since August 2014 has led to over 1,000 job losses amongst UK seafarers on OSVs, in many cases being replaced by non-EEA seafarers on rates of pay as low as £2 per hour; is further concerned that seafarer ratings replaced by low-cost foreign crews in the OSV sector will be lost to the maritime industry; believes that this practice puts UK seafarers and the national economy at an unfair disadvantage, particularly in the event of an increase in oil prices; further notes that the number of UK owned OSVs fell by 10 per cent in the year to 31 December 2015; is concerned that a record number of OSVs are currently laid up in UK ports, in some cases with non-EEA crew living on board in contravention of transit visa requirements and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC); and calls on the Government to enforce visa and employment law and the MLC in the OSV sector as a matter of urgency.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 16, Labour 10, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Liberal Democrat 1.