TUC Congress backs Nautilus enhancements to Employment Rights Bill

British trade unions have put their full weight behind the Nautilus campaign to enhance protections for seafarers in the UK government's Employment Rights Bill.

The vote of support came from delegates at the TUC Congress in Brighton – the prestigious annual gathering of unions to set joint policy and campaign priorities.

The Nautilus motion on the Employment Rights Bill was put forward in conjunction with the RMT union. It was then addressed at Congress as a 'composite', meaning it was combined with motions from other unions on the same topic.

Speaking in support of the composite motion, Nautilus head of organising Martyn Gray said: 'For too long, UK seafarers have been treated like the forgotten workforce—out of sight, out of mind, and often out of rights.

'Offshore employment contracts and flags of convenience are bleeding our industry dry. Legal loopholes allow companies to dodge UK employment laws, undercut wages, and deny workers basic protections like sick pay and pensions.

'But this Bill, if strengthened and fully applied, offers a once-in-a-generation chance to change that.'

To ensure the Employment Rights Bill works for seafarers, Nautilus and the RMT are pressing for a number of enhancements, which were set out as follows in their motion to TUC Congress:

i. delivery of legislation that will support and protect the employment of UK resident maritime professionals through the enaction of cabotage and/or domestic employment quotas that will help revitalise coastal communities and regenerate coastal community wealth building

ii. a review of 'offshore employment' practices to ensure UK seafarers benefit from full UK employment and social protections

iii. the enforcement of Articles 91 and 94 of UNCLOS, which mandate a 'genuine link' and 'effective control' of ships to eradicate flags of convenience and to seek to tackle this on the international stage

iv. strengthening the Employment Rights Bill (ERB) Mandatory Seafarers Charter to contain further protections and provisions including holiday and sick pay, pensions and crewing levels, as pledged by Labour

v. the fullest possible application of the ERB for seafarers

Calling on Congress delegates to vote for the motion, Mr Gray said: 'Let's not patch the hull – let's rebuild the ship. Let's pass a Bill that doesn't just float – it sails. Let's make the UK maritime sector a beacon of decent work, not a cautionary tale.'

Delegates responded warmly, voting unanimously in favour of the composite motion.