STATUS OF SEAFARER HEALTH AND SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES

That this House notes the differences in the legal status and powers of seafarer and land-based health and safety representatives; is concerned that land-based representatives are legally required after appointment to attend a trade union-approved health and safety training course as soon as possible, whilst seafarer representatives are only required to undertake on-board health and safety training at some stage; is further concerned that this inferior status compromises the health and safety regime for seafarers working on UK-flagged vessels; and calls on the Government to take steps to bring seafarer health and safety representatives up to the legal status of their land-based counterparts.