Gulfmark dismissed accusations about underpaying crew

Gulfmark, the owner of the "North Promise", has dismissed accusations that it was underpaying seafarers on the ship which was contracted to Shell in the North Sea. The RMT trade union said Gulfmark was paying Filipino workers £2.60 per hour on the vessel, adding that it had lodged a formal complaint against the company. RMT said poor wages and conditions on supply vessels operating in UK waters, including North Promise, have become a growing problem. But Gulfmark denied the claim and said it was compliant with the maritime labour convention (MLC). Gulfmark refuted the unsubstantiated allegation of paying any crew members £2.60 an hour, being in full compliance with the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, flag state legislation and employment legislation and comply with International Labour Organisation approved rates. The regulator for Marine activities in the UK, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, have audited the vessel and the company and issued both certificates of compliance.