MP's Rosyth Dockyard Claims "Reckless And Baseless"

A row's broken out over claims of migrant workers at Rosyth Dockyard.

New Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman's written to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon seeking clarification on whether shipbuilders at Rosyth are being rejected in favour of migrant workers.

Mr Chapman said he had heard reports that workers are losing their jobs and being excluded from employment opportunities.

'Blunder'

But Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie says the allegations are "baseless and reckless".

He said: “I am astonished that the new MP for Rosyth Dockyard could blunder into such a sensitive matter without even checking whether these rumours had even a fraction of truth.

"I spoke to the trade unions at the yard this morning and was assured these rumours are baseless.

“The Aircraft Carrier Alliance and Babcock bend over backwards to create opportunities for local skilled workers and have no truck with paying lower wages to workers from other countries. 

“I am impressed that the trade unions’ representatives conduct a monthly random anonymised audit to check there is no exploitation.

“The skilled workers from other countries are playing an important role in filling the skills gap that exists in the United Kingdom.  They are not undercutting local skilled workers nor are they being exploited.

“I want to make sure the billions of pounds we are spending on this super aircraft carrier project provide us with two high quality ships that will defend our country.  All the workers at the shipyards across the UK - whether they be Scottish, British or foreign - are delivering the best for the Royal Navy.

“The exploitation of workers from abroad is a sensitive subject that deserves more careful investigation and comment from elected representatives.”

'Deeply concerned'

Douglas Chapman said workers should not "lose out" following the £6.2 billion UK Government defence contract to build two new aircraft carriers, adding that the UK Government has "a duty to ensure that migrant workers are not being exploited."

He said “I am deeply concerned about reports that shipbuilders in Rosyth are losing their jobs and being excluded from future work opportunities. I have been equally alarmed to learn that migrant workers are being taken on to work longer hours for less pay.

“These issues need urgent investigation – and I am urging the Ministry of Defence to release the relevant sections of the aircraft carrier contract to establish whether there were workers safeguards put into these huge multi-billion pound contracts – originally signed off by Gordon Brown.” 

In a statement The Aircraft Carrier Alliance said it has checked that its suppliers adhere to the law.

"The ACA has sought and gained reassurance from our suppliers that they comply with all relevant legislation, including the agency worker regulations, which requires that their agency workers’ pay is at least equivalent to that of comparable permanent employees. We will continue to carry out the necessary checks with our suppliers to ensure this is the case and will take the appropriate action to rectify any discrepancies if brought to our attention.

"In terms of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD), the safety and wellbeing of all our workers is our prime concern.

"The ACA requires all of its contractors and agents to comply with the EWTD. Workers are not allowed to exceed 48 hours average per week when measured over the allowed 17-week reference period, as required by law. All of our suppliers have assured us that they have systems in place to closely monitor and manage this."