Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent seafarers' employment contracts from being extended because of COVID-19.

The UK strongly supports the United Nation General Assembly’s resolution on international cooperation to address challenges faced by seafarers to support global supply chains and the International Labour Organization’s resolution on maritime labour issues, both in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an information note which aims to help address serious concerns about seafarer wellbeing arising due to COVID-19 restrictions. The MCA considers any request for an extension of a Seafarer Employment Agreement on a case by case basis. An extension will only be given if they are completely satisfied that any health, safety or wellbeing concerns are being addressed and only with the consent of the seafarer.