The ferry company P&O scored a classic own goal, because hundreds of employees were laid off and new crews were recruited to replace them. But they are paid far lower wages. In the United Kingdom, the action felt like the entire country was turned against it.

So far, P&O Ferries has enjoyed a very good reputation, but this changed abruptly last week. With a video message, around 800 employees parted ways without warning, with immediate effect and in some cases even without notice. As a replacement, crews have been recruited in India to work for a fifth of the British minimum wage. This not only led to protests from the dismissed seafarers and the union, but also to a shitstorm against the shipping company.

It has long since stopped flying the UK flag as the ferries are registered in Cyprus. The British staff had been employed on the Channel Island of Jersey in order to be able to circumvent UK labor law. As a result, P&O Ferries has in many cases been able to part with existing crew members without notice.

The corona pandemic has hit the ferry company hard, because due to the complicated entry and quarantine regulations, demand has been very low for almost two years. This has left deep marks on the finances of the company, which has owners from Dubai. The way in which it has cut staff and the fact that it wants to employ Indian seafarers for a fraction of the UK minimum wage has drawn criticism.