A British shipping and logistics firm, P&O Ferries fired 800 seafarers through a video message. This came as a sudden shock to all the workers. The three-minute pre-recorded video message was sent to all employees stating that the company has tied up with a third- party crew provider which is much more cost effective. The video message also states that P&O no longer needs those employees on their vessels and that their employment is terminated with immediate effect.
Talking to the media, the Company stated that it had no other choice but to lay off the employees. P&O Ferries is owned by a Dubai-based company called DP World and P&O was making a year on year loss, which amounted to $130 million and was being borne by its parent company.
This sudden mass layoff is similar to what Vishal Garg did at Better.com inviting a lot of criticism on social media.
This sudden termination has created an outrage amongst the employees and trade unions in England. The unions are terming this as one of the most shameful and disgraceful acts in the history of the shipping industry in England.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and Nautilus International, a trade union in England, are seeking intervention of the government in the matter and demanding investigation into whether the company has broken any labour law.
Some workers, who have been associated with the Company for the past two decades feel dismayed and betrayed after hearing that the Company no longer needs them.
P&O Ferries carries more than 10 million passengers and 2.2 million units of freight between ports in the United Kingdom and Europe every year.
Value our content... contribute towards our growth. Even a small contribution a month would be of great help for us.
Since eight years, we have been serving the industry through daily news and stories. Our content is free for all and we plan to keep it that way.
Support HRKatha. Pay Here (All it takes is a minute)
