The practices of the British P&0 and Irish Ferries make the competition unfair.
“The social dumping practiced by certain maritime carriers on cross-Channel traffic is unacceptable. These actors are engaged in a deadly battle. No, it was not a trade unionist who had these strong words on Wednesday, but the Secretary of State for the Sea, Hervé Berville. Because the competition to ensure the France-England-France links by boat has taken a very aggressive turn since the lull in the pandemic.
In March, the English ferry company, P&O, had shocked by replacing overnight its 800 sailors paid according to United Kingdom standards by non-European sailors paid according to much less advantageous standards. Irish Ferries, which does not have the same notoriety, made less headlines. But it is under the socially undemanding Cypriot flag that the Irish carrier launched England-France-England crossings in the spring of 2021. Its sailors receive a meager salary and work extended weeks.
“When sailors under the flag…
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