P&O Ferries has taken the “tough” decision to make 800 staff redundant as part of a “survival” bid after making a £100 million loss year-on-year.
The ferry firm confirmed the redundancies in a statement issued at lunchtime today (March 17) – just hours after suspending its services, telling customers it was unable to operate “for the next few hours”.
P&O Ferries’ statement read: “In its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business. We have made a £100m loss year on year, which has been covered by our parent DP World. This is not sustainable.
“Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now. Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries.
“These circumstances have resulted in a very difficult but necessary decision, which was only taken after seriously considering all the available options.”
It added: “As part of the process we are starting today, we are providing 800 seafarers with immediate severance notices and will be compensating them for this lack of advance notice with enhanced compensation packages.”
Huw Merriman MP, chair of the transport committee, commented on Twitter: “This is deeply concerning. The government must do everything it can to ensure that this appalling employment transaction cannot be completed. Concern remains as to whether this is lawful.”
Earlier, National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) had told staff not to leave vessels until clarity was provided.
The majority of P&O Ferries staff are members of the RMT union, the spokesperson added.
According to its website, the Dover-headquartered company operates more than 20 ferries across the English Channel, North Sea and Irish Sea, and employs almost 4,000 members of staff.
Dubai-based parent company DP World said in its 2021 annual report published today in relation to Covid-19: “The ferries business has faced a challenging trading environment during the year given the lockdown in UK and Europe, resulting in reduced passenger activity, but we continue to transport critical cargo for consumers.”
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