Charter for Jobs

The issues

The 2016 UK referendum vote to leave the European Union provides a unique opportunity to set ambitious goals for the future of the country's maritime industries. As the UK negotiates a future outside of the European Union. the government must deliver on promises made in the run-up to the vote.

For an island nation looking to negotiate hundreds of new trade deals, the maritime sector should be at the forefront of discussions. However, the sector is often 'out of sight, out of mind'. Without the essential component of British seafarers, the continued success of the UK's maritime cluster is under threat.

What Nautilus is doing

Nautilus International is campaigning to widen public awareness of the importance of the maritime industry in the UK and encourage the industry and government to work together to deliver decent work for British seafarers.

The 10-point Charter for Jobs is an 'SOS' which sets out key objectives to secure the future of the maritime sector and ensure it delivers for UK-resident seafarers.

Support

1. Secure 100% financial support for the cost of training UK-resident seafarers to avoid a serious skills shortage within the next decade.

2.  Review shipowner tax relief schemes (Tonnage Tax) so the UK remains attractive to owners whilst promoting the training and employment of UK seafarers.

Opportunities

3. Maximise the employment of British seafarers in the UK, especially in:

• coastal shipping
• passenger and freight ferry services
• offshore windfarms
• offshore oil and gas exploration and decommissioning

4. Develop a national maritime strategy with support from trade unions, government and industry.

5. Encourage investment in UK maritime education and training so it retains its world-leading status.

6.End support for the Red Ensign Group of registers and encourage British shipowners to return to the UK Ship Register.

7. Improve the system for issuing foreign seafarers with Certificates of Equivalent Competency to deliver more opportunities for British seafarers on UK ships.

8. Apply the National Minimum Wage (and the National Living Wage) and the Equality Act to all vessels engaged in UK waters.

9. Promote the employment of UK-resident seafarers on routes between UK ports (cabotage) including the North Sea offshore sector.

Standards

10. Ensure all existing health, safety, environmental and employment legislation is maintained following the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

How you can help

Watch and share the animations below that explain what seafarers do for us and why the Charter for Jobs will help to secure the future of the UK's maritime sector.

Download the Charter for Jobs supporting document, which gives a detailed explanation behind the reasons for each charter point and how they will improve the whole UK maritime sector.

Send a postcard or tweet to your MP asking them to call for a review of the system for issuing Certificates of Equivalent Competency (charter point 7). Postcards can be downloaded [link] or requested by email at campaigns@nautilusint.org.

Contact your MP and ask them to ensure that National Minimum Wage and work permit requirements are applied and enforced in UK waters in the same way as they are for workers on land (charter point 8).

Ask colleagues and other maritime professionals to join the Union and add their support for the Charter for Jobs.