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RMT welcomes MCA detention and inspection of cruise ships in Tilbury and Bristol over crew welfare.
SEAFARER Union RMT today welcomed the actions of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in detaining and inspecting six cruise ships in Tilbury and Bristol following serious concerns over the welfare of nearly 2,000 crew members who are stranded on these vessels, unable to disembark or return home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The six cruise ships are all registered under Flags of Convenience (Bahamas and Madeira) and are owned by Greek company Global Maritime Group,
RMT Assistant General Secretary, Mick Lynch said:
“The MCA’s intervention exposes the shipping industry’s culture of abuse of seafarers’ rights, from the use of Flags of Convenience with no diplomatic influence and basic monthly wages as low as 200 Euros per month.
“The conditions imposed on seafarers as a consequence of Covid-19 should never be forgotten and RMT is working with the ITF to end the appalling treatment of these key workers and other seafarers employed within the cruise ship sector around the UK Coast who may also be subject to similar concerns at this moment in time.”
