Pay on Manx-flagged ship criticised

A Manx-flagged ferry serving routes in Scotland has come in for criticism from a union, which claims some crew members are paid just £4.19 an hour.

The RMT shipping union's written to the Scottish and UK Governments over what it calls the 'scandalous exploitation' of a group of Estonian workers on the Clipper Ranger.

The vessel, operated by CalMac, runs a route between Ullapool and Stornoway for the Scottish government.

Although CalMac has agreed to raise wages, the company it's chartered the vessel from, Seatruck, has refused to accept the payment.

RMT Acting General Secretary Mick Cash says low cost crewing of an Isle of Man vessel crewed by Estonians on poverty pay is 'murky and shadowy'.

The Isle of Man Shipping Registry says it upholds minimum labour standards under international agreements.

It says the issue of pay is dealt with under the Maritime Labour Convention, which it upholds on all Manx-flagged ships.