CONDOR Ferries has signed up to new charters, safeguarding pay and conditions for staff working on boats in the English Channel.
Chief executive John Napton joined representatives from rival operators Stena Line, DFDS and Brittany Ferries to sign a series of bilateral agreements, which complement new legislation mandating minimum wages for sailors on ferries operating cross-Channel routes.
In the UK, the Seafarers Wages Act was made law in March 2023 and in France, the equivalent law passed the final stage of the legislative process last week.
The French bill amends the law to protect Brittany Ferries from ‘unfair’ competition, while fighting against what has been termed ‘social dumping’: the practice of hiring staff from abroad for worse pay and conditions.
Mr Napton said: ‘We are fully supportive of the Seafarers’ Charters and I was delighted to be in Paris to sign these historic agreements.’
However, French ferry company, Manche Iles Express, has confirmed that it has refused to sign the charters, having raised concerns earlier this year that the new law would have a profound impact on the ability to recruit staff as a result of tax implications. Manche Iles has confirmed it would continue to seek an amendment to the legal position, and that they had been met with understanding from politicians but, as yet, no action. The ferry company added that it feared being ‘eaten’ if the law remained unchanged.
