Union says cruise ship crews still open to exploitation under legal loophole
Cruise ship workers will get some new protections following an ABC investigation, but critics say the exemption that left them vulnerable should never have existed and remains largely in place through to 2028.
A legal exemption allowing cruise ships to circumvent Australian labour laws has been extended until 2028. Critics argue the loophole that left workers vulnerable should never have existed and enables exploitation. The exemption, originally set to expire at the end of the year, is now extended to 2028 with new protections for crew members.
These include the ability to collectively bargain and file complaints with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. However, the government has decided to continue the practice of granting cruise ships an exemption to labour laws, despite mounting allegations of shocking conditions such as 12-hour workdays, medical neglect, and low wages.
The Maritime Union of Australia's national secretary, Jake Field, contends the exemption should never have existed and calls for an investigation into the industry. The government, however, maintains the changes will protect workers while supporting Australia's maritime industry. Carnival, one of the affected cruise lines, denied the allegations and claimed the maritime authority has conducted surprise inspections of their ships, clearing them on each occasion.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
