Across the Celtic Sea to France where politicians unanimously have backed plans to introduce new laws to tighten employment laws for ferry operators on the English Channel.

The France-Channel Islands operator, Manche Îles Express, previously warned the change would pose recruitment challenges for the ferry firm as it would not be able to continue offering the same perks for staff.

According to ITV News, the new legislation is aimed to protect against the practice of "social dumping", where existing staff are replaced with overseas workers. In addition the replacement staff work for worse pay and conditions.

It was in March 2022 when P&O Ferries, which operates on the Dover-Calais route, North Sea and the Irish Sea, was accused of a similar act when it laid off nearly 800 members of staff and crew. They were replaced with agency workers and allegedly earning around £1.80/hour.

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In addition The Currency also reports on the new France law which follows on from a UK pay measure, the Seafarers Wages Bill which formed part of a nine point plan to improve pay and conditions for seafarers which was introduced in July last year.

The new French labour law aims to improve safety on English Channel crossings, however Irish Ferries believes it is about “safeguarding the interests of certain ferry operators who are in receipt of state subsidies”.

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