Ports and unions criticise Shapps’ plan for law on seafarers’ minimum wage

The Department for Transport said tens of thousands of seafarers would have to be paid the equivalent of the UK national minimum wage Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

Ports and unions have cast doubt on the viability of legislation announced in the Queens Speech to ensure P&O and other ferry operators pay seafarers the minimum wage.

The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said that the new bill, introduced in response to P&O Ferries’ sacking of 800 crew, showed that the government would “stop at nothing” to ensure fair pay.