Seafarers Working in UK Waters Must Be Paid At Least Minimum Wage

All seafarers working in UK waters must be paid at least minimum wage rates, the government warned in new guidance published Thursday.

The development follows concerns about unfair competition after reports emerged that some ships registered abroad were underpaying their workers in UK waters, undercutting UK crews.

UK Border Force patrols will be handing out information to seafarers and employers in more than 50 languages promoting minimum wage law. Employers failing to pay at least national minimum wage and national living wage can face fines of up to 200 percent of the underpayment, public naming and, for the worst offences, criminal prosecution.

“Seafarers’ work is vital to key UK industries such as fishing, oil and gas. We are determined to ensure they are paid fairly for the work they do, often in challenging conditions,” Business Minister Andrew Griffiths said in a government statement.

“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,” he added.



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