This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/18/unions-call-denial-of-minimum-wage-to-north-sea-workers-national-disgrace

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Unions call denial of minimum wage to North Sea workers ‘national disgrace’ Unions call denial of minimum wage to North Sea workers ‘national disgrace’
(35 minutes later)
Official pay guidance won’t apply beyond 12 miles in UK waters, leaving out most crews dismantling oil and gas rigsOfficial pay guidance won’t apply beyond 12 miles in UK waters, leaving out most crews dismantling oil and gas rigs
Adam VaughanAdam Vaughan
Thu 18 Jan 2018 13.19 GMTThu 18 Jan 2018 13.19 GMT
Last modified on Thu 18 Jan 2018 13.50 GMT Last modified on Thu 18 Jan 2018 14.09 GMT
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
View more sharing optionsView more sharing options
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
CloseClose
Unions have said it is a “national disgrace” that workers dismantling old North Sea oil and gas rigs will be paid less than the minimum wage, despite new promises by ministers to protect people working in UK waters.Unions have said it is a “national disgrace” that workers dismantling old North Sea oil and gas rigs will be paid less than the minimum wage, despite new promises by ministers to protect people working in UK waters.
The government issued guidance on Thursday that it said would ensure seafarers, people who are based on vessels as opposed to fixed installations like an oil platform, receive the minimum wage. The government issued guidance on Thursday that it said would ensure seafarers, people who are based on vessels as opposed to fixed installations such as oil platforms, receive the minimum wage.
But the RMT union said the guidance only applied to UK waters out to a 12-mile limit, which would not cover most oil and gas activity.But the RMT union said the guidance only applied to UK waters out to a 12-mile limit, which would not cover most oil and gas activity.
One firm decommissioning the BP Miller platform had workers on 12-hour shifts for $45, or about £2.70 an hour, the union said. A second contractor reportedly paid similar rates on Canadian Natural Resources’ Murchison platform. The minimum wage is £7.50 for over 25s. One firm decommissioning the BP Miller platform had workers on 12-hour shifts for $45, or about £2.70 an hour, the union said. A second contractor reportedly paid similar rates on Canadian Natural Resources’ Murchison platform. The minimum wage is £7.50 for over-25s.
The concern is international crews are being paid unfairly low rates and undercutting opportunities for UK workers.The concern is international crews are being paid unfairly low rates and undercutting opportunities for UK workers.
“This is an issue which to my mind is a national disgrace,” said Jake Molloy, a regional organiser for the RMT. “This change [today] will do nothing to protect our members, or the exploitation of foreign nationals by the oil and gas industry, nothing,” he said.“This is an issue which to my mind is a national disgrace,” said Jake Molloy, a regional organiser for the RMT. “This change [today] will do nothing to protect our members, or the exploitation of foreign nationals by the oil and gas industry, nothing,” he said.
Labour said it was deplorable that workers were not getting the minimum wage.Labour said it was deplorable that workers were not getting the minimum wage.
Rebecca Long-Bailey, shadow business secretary, said: “The government hasn’t done enough to stop employers denying workers their rightful pay, which is grossly unfair to workers but also unfair to the businesses that do play by the rules.” Rebecca Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary, said: “The government hasn’t done enough to stop employers denying workers their rightful pay, which is grossly unfair to workers but also unfair to the businesses that do play by the rules.”
Under plans published on Thursday, UK Border Force will issue information to seafarers on their rights, in more than 50 languages.Under plans published on Thursday, UK Border Force will issue information to seafarers on their rights, in more than 50 languages.
Andrew Griffiths, business minister, said: “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.” Andrew Griffiths, a business minister, said: “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.”
Saipem and Heerema Marine Contractors, which are carrying out the BP and Canadian Natural Resources rig work, said they paid in line with rules laid down by the International Transport Workers Federation. Saipem and Heerema Marine Contractors, which are carrying out the BP and Canadian Natural Resources rig work, said they paid in line with rules laid down by the International Transport Workers’ Federation.
Energy industryEnergy industry
Trade unionsTrade unions
Oil and gas companiesOil and gas companies
RMTRMT
PayPay
Minimum wageMinimum wage
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content