On Monday officers of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) attempted again to exercise their right of entry under s.121 of the NSW WHS Act (Entry to consult and advise workers) to access the Carnival Adventure.
Inspectors of Safe Work NSW accompanied the MUA officers to assist in resolving the dispute in relation to Carnival’s refusal to allow MUA entry.
The MUA have been investigating multiple whistleblower reports of unsafe and unbearable conditions on board Carnival vessels operating along the Australian coast. The vessels sail almost exclusively in Australian waters and the company flies in workers from some of the poorest economies around the world and pays them as little as $2.50 per hour.
Reports received from crew include overcrowded conditions under deck, poor crew food, no safe free drinking water, being pressured by cruise doctors to continue working whilst unwell, high rates of skin disease and fungal infections, and crew working up to 300 hours per month with some even reporting that they went more than 30 days consecutively without seeing sunlight.
WHS entry permit holders are seeking to use their legally enforceable right to enter a workplace to consult and advise workers under NSW workplace safety laws. However, in refusing entry Carnival says that the appropriate regulator is the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). It is unfortunate they are playing jurisdictional roulette instead of dealing with the substantial and very real issues being face by their workforce.
Be sure to visit MUA Australia for up-to-date information on how you can support the campaign to ensure that Carnival Cruises negotiate an agreement that ensures workers are treated fairly and their safety is ensured.
See more: MUA | NSW Government denied access to Carnival vessel