Question reference: S6W-22812
- Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 9 November 2023
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Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21903 by Fiona Hyslop on 11 October 2023, what its policy is on using collective bargaining agreements between maritime unions in Scotland and operators of ferry routes from Scotland to international ports to ensure that employment conditions for seafarers exceed (a) international minimum standards and (b) the UK National Minimum Wage for work in Scottish waters.
Answer
As noted in the answer to S6W-21903, ferry operators are responsible for crewing arrangements whilst complying with the appropriate employment legislation and standards. Shipping safety and seafarer welfare and employment conditions are matters reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government does not have powers over employment conditions for seafarers.
The Scottish Government expects the highest shipping safety and crew welfare and employment conditions to be observed by those vessels and for those crew working in Scottish waters. International ferry services can often have skilled crew from around the world, and not domiciled in the UK. However the UK Seafarers Act ensures crew will be entitled to National Minimum Wage equivalent whilst working in Scottish waters.