THE Maritime Union says it remains concerned about the potential for abuse, coercion, and manipulation for those working in the cruise sector, following the decision by the federal government to retain exemptions from the Coastal Trading Act.
The ongoing exemption was confirmed this month by infrastructure and transport minister Catherine King.
MUA national secretary Jake Field said international cruise companies made “hundreds of millions of dollars in Australian waters by exploiting international seafarers below decks and behind closed doors far beyond the scrutiny of the public, and they have been doing this with a permission slip from successive federal governments”.
Mr Field said the MUA remained concerned poor conditions on board cruise ships would continue, notwithstanding the Minister’s attempt to install new guardrails within the exemption.
He said the conditions identified by the MUA were occurring aboard ships that were “home ported” in Australia.
“In no other domestic industry would this abuse, exploitation and mistreatment be accepted in our community or on or along our shorelines,” Mr Field said.
“Minister King’s additional guardrails are a starting point, and not a conclusion.
“The billionaires who run this industry are telling Australians they can’t have a holiday unless we let them snip us on the way through for mega profits. They can’t make those mega profits by employing Australian seafarers, so they do it on the backs of hard-working international seafarers who they treat like slaves.”
He said the union would continue to fight for a better outcome.
In a statement earlier this month, Ms King said cruise tourism was “an important driver of economic growth in Australia”.
“We want the cruise industry to keep thriving and showcasing our country’s diverse regions to both local and international visitors,” she said.
“This means ensuring a fair go for the hard-working seafarers who make cruising holidays possible for Australians, while continuing the exemption to support the cruise tourism industry and our port towns that rely on it.”