SEAFARERS’ union RMT called for a boycott of Irish Ferries today, warning that crew members face long hours and unsafe conditions on poverty pay.

The union said that some workers on the firm’s new Dover-Calais route will be paid less than the national minimum wage to work at least 12 hours per day on a gruelling six-weeks-on, three-weeks-off basis.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Make no mistake, Irish Ferries crewing practices undermine maritime safety and employment standards on ferries which cross the world’s busiest shipping lane up to five times a day.”

He said the granting of permission for the new services, which ran for the first time today, “clearly demonstrates the UK government’s neglect of local seafarers during the pandemic and in the post-Brexit maritime supply chain.“

“RMT calls on passengers and businesses to think again before using Irish Ferries and to keep in mind the appalling employment and questionable safety practices at an operator that puts profit before safety,” he said.

Irish Ferries said it was “unable to provide a comment.”