ITF fights ‘social dumping’

Unions are fighting moves by Norwegian offshore shipowners to employ foreign crew on lower wages and in less desirable working conditions.

In a protest against what it terms “social dumping” the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) says Norwegian crew could be completely eliminated from the sector unless action is taken.

It fingers Dof, Havila and Frastad among others for flagging out previously Norwegian registered vessels, resulting in job losses for both Norwegian officers and ratings.

The ITF says 64 offshore vessels have stopped flying the Norwegian flag during the past two years due to “unfair competition” from other registers.

A statement said it “is deeply concerned that in the near future will no longer be any Norwegian vessels on the Norwegian continental shelf and thereby no Norwegian seafarers on board offshore supply and service vessels operating in Norway.”

The ITF added: “The only way to prevent social dumping on the Norwegian continental shelf and uphold the competitiveness of the Norwegian Seafarers is to demand Norwegian wage and working conditions for the seafarers on board vessels operating on the Norwegian continental shelf regardless of nationality.”

Norwegian Maritime Officers’ Association, Norwegian Union of Marine Engineers and the Norwegian Seafarers’ Union had asked the ITF for its support in the matter.

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