Nautilus backs calls to save oil and gas jobs during Covid-19 pandemic
27 March 2020
Nautilus International has backed calls for the UK government to take urgent action to save oil and gas worker jobs from the catastrophic economic effects of Covid-19 in the industry, which has seen the collapse in the price of oil to under $25 per barrel.
Oil and Gas Committee (OGC) partner union RMT has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, seeking urgent clarification on the terms of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme announced last week and to demand broader actions to protect workers in the offshore oil and gas industry.
Nautilus and RMT had welcomed the announcement in a joint statement with the UK Chamber of Shipping but continue to highlight their 'serious concerns' for members working in the offshore oil and gas sector.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: 'We have written to the Chancellor because our members in the offshore oil and gas sector are being ignored by government in this time of national crisis.
'The offshore trade unions have a central role to play in protecting our skilled offshore and supply chain workers from the effects of the pandemic and the international oil crisis.
'The government has to take steps now to work with us all to formulate an emergency industrial strategy that saves oil and gas jobs from cut throat competition and builds the foundations for sustainable recovery. After being treated like expendable assets during the last oil price crisis, offshore workers deserve this basic level of protection of their wages, health and skills.'
In 2019 nearly 75% of North Sea workers were employed by contractors including the catering, engineering, technicians, and drilling. Contractors are supported by a supply chain of skilled UK- based workers including commercial dive crews and together they reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
'Without effective action to retain jobs and skills in the offshore sector, we will see a dramatic loss in capacity that will scar our economy and society for the long term,' Mr Cash said.
On 12 March the UK's oil and gas sector association OGUK banned people from travelling to offshore installations such as platforms if they have travelled to certain countries affected by the coronavirus in the previous 14 days.
The ban came after Equinor reported the oil industry's first coronavirus infection on an offshore installation, highlighting the challenge in preventing contamination for thousands of workers living in the close quarters on rigs and platforms.
Nautilus members who are experiencing difficulties related to the coronavirus outbreak are advised to contact their industrial organiser for assistance. In an emergency members can also contact the Nautilus 24/7 helpline.
More help and our coronavirus resource hub can be found on our Assistance page.
Tags
More articles
Nautilus FAQs on Covid-19 Coronavirus
Union in cruiseship taskforce assessing industry impact from pandemic
Members of the ITF Cruise Ship Task Force – including Nautilus International – have been closely following the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the cruise industry.
Red Funnel steps in as Wightlink suspends services
Red Funnel steps in as Wightlink suspends services
Nautilus emergency helpline spike in calls due to members' coronavirus concerns
The Nautilus 24/7 emergency helpline service has seen a rapid increase in the number of calls coming into the helpline in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bring our cadets home!
Nautilus has called for shipowners and training providers to bring British cadets home, should they wish, at the next available port.
Mariners' Park protects residents' safety during pandemic
Mariners' Park retirement complex has introduced a raft of safety procedures to protect residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
UK government suspends competition law to support Isle of Wight lifeline ferries
The UK government is temporarily allowing ferry operators to the Isle of Wight to work together and maintain a crucial lifeline service between the island and the mainland during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Help fight for transport workers' rights by sharing ETF campaign graphics
The European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) has issued a set of Covid-19 graphics that seafarers and unions can use to help campaign for the rights of supply chain workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
P&O Ferries forced to suspend operations as passenger numbers plunge
P&O Ferries forced to suspend operations as passenger numbers plunge
Union seeks SMarT funding extension for cadets in training shutdown
Nautilus, the union for maritime professionals, is seeking extensions to the cadet SMarT funding programme for British seafarers whose studies have been disrupted by the coronavirus lockdown.