The International Transport Workers’ Federation has pledged solidarity with Nautilus NL/FNV Waterbouw – its Dutch affiliate – in its fights to stop maritime and energy giant Boskalis sacking skilled seafarers and downgrading the quality of jobs, ITF said in its media release.
The company plans to cut 650 jobs worldwide, including 150 in the Netherlands, and scrap 24 ships despite making EUR440 million profit in 2015 and EUR148 million in the first half of 2016.
In the Netherlands, Fairmount Marine - a wholly owned subsidiary of Boskalis – is attempting to replace permanent seafaring officers with lower paid nationals by outsourcing its entire ship management and crewing to Anglo Eastern.
So far Boskalis and Fairmount have refused requests from Nautilus NL/FNV Waterbouw to see the financial data that the company says justifies its plan.