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          Shipping Stevedoring Port Services Hydrocarbons Diving  Sep-Oct 2008 
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War of words over UK crew wages12 June 2003
The Blair Government refuses to outlaw pay discrimination on ships flying the Red Ensign Government amendments to the Race Relations Act have ignited a war of words between British shipowners and the maritime unions, writes David Osler of Lloyds List. THE Government is allowing foreign seafarers to remain exempt from minimum wage legislation. A European Union directive outlaws pay discrimination on grounds of race and ethnicity, but permits it on grounds of nationality. The British ratings union RMT has condemned the move as "legalised discrimination", saying some foreign nationals are paid as little as £2 ($3.30) an hour, compared with the UK minimum wage of £4.20. And Numast is arguing that the Red Ensign could become a flag of convenience unless minimum pay and conditions are established for foreign seafarers on UK ships. Assistant general secretary Mark Dickinson told Lloyds List: "Now that the government has decided not to change the race relations regulations affecting shipping,it is vital that it introduces effective alternative mechanisms to protect the growing number of foreign seafarers serving on British ships."
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