UN workers’ rights watchdog rebukes UK government over failures on P&O Ferries scandal

The UN workers’ rights watchdog, the ILO, has rebuked the UK government over failures following the P&O Ferries scandal, in which 800 seafarers were sacked illegally – and demanded that the UK beef up worker protections.

The ILO has called on the UK to increase sanctions on companies that ignore the law and ensure that workers can get their jobs back.

This ruling from the ILO’s committee on freedom of association follows a complaint by the TUC, Nautilus, RMT – and international union bodies the ETF and ITF, and ITUC.

This is the second time in months that the ILO has reprimanded the UK government.

In the summer, the UN workers’ rights watchdog slammed the UK’s anti-union drive and called on ministers to bring UK union laws into line with international law.

The TUC has also recently reported the Conservative government to the ILO’s committee of experts over the imposition of the draconian Strikes Act.

Joint union statement

The TUC, Nautilus and RMT have issued a scathing joint statement in the wake of the ruling, warning about the prospect of another P&O Ferries scandal if ministers fail to beef up protections.

Warning about another P&O Ferries scandal, the unions say:

“Today’s ruling by the UN workers’ rights watchdog – the ILO – highlights the government’s failure to impose proper sanctions on P&O Ferries and DP World.

There is nothing to stop another P&O Ferries scandal from happening again under current UK law.

Having feigned outrage at P&O Ferries’ actions, ministers have rowed back on their promise to clamp down on bad bosses and introduce a much-needed employment bill.”

Criticising the failure of government to act in the wake of the scandal, the unions say:

“P&O Ferries’ brutal sacking of 800 dedicated seafarers in March 2022 was one of the most shocking episodes in modern industrial relations.

Despite admitting acting illegally, P&O Ferries have faced no sanctions and have been let off the hook for their appalling treatment of staff.

Conservative ministers haven’t lifted a finger. They should have come down like a tonne of bricks on P&O Ferries and their parent company, DP World.

Instead they have they have spent at least £600,000 on P&O Ferries’ services, offered lucrative freeport contracts to DP World, and turned a blind eye to P&O Ferries’ disgraceful behaviour.”

On the ruling, the unions say:

“As the ILO makes clear, this can’t go on. Without a proper sanctions regime, rogue employers like P&O Ferries will continue to get away with treating staff like disposable labour.

We need to drag our outdated employment laws into the 21^st century.

This is why we need a new deal for working people – like Labour is proposing – to ensure that everybody is treated with dignity and respect at work.

For too long parts of our labour market have been like the wild west – with some seafarers particularly exposed to hyper-exploitation and a lack of enforceable rights.

Secure and fair work is vital for a healthy, and prosperous workforce and for a thriving economy.”