THE Tories have betrayed the 786 workers sacked by P&O Ferries two years ago, unions have said, warning that ministers have done nothing to stop other firms from doing the same thing.

The public remains at risk because there has been no effort to close legal loopholes that allowed the cross-Channel ferry operator to abruptly fire crew members and hire low-paid agency staff instead, the TUC, RMT and Nautilus International said.

They called for proper legal protection for seafarers on the second anniversary of the scandal, which has seen the firm and its owner DP World continue to operate without sanctions — despite admitting to breaking the law.

P&O Ferries chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite, who told MPs he knew the firm was breaking the law, also remains in place, despite the then transport secretary Grant Shapps saying his position was “completely unsustainable.”

In a joint statement, the unions said that P&O Ferries have seemingly been let off the hook, having faced no sanctions, and called for a mandatory seafarers’ charter with more protection for workers.

“Having feigned outrage at P&O Ferries’ actions, ministers have reneged on their promise to clamp down on bad bosses, failed to deliver an employment Bill and failed to close the legal loopholes exploited by P&O Ferries,” it added, criticising “paltry” proposed reforms that “fall far short of what’s needed.”

Labour MP Ian Lavery said the Tories, in failing to act, had betrayed P&O workers.

He told the Morning Star: “It just shows how undervalued workers are by this Conservative government.

“Whether it is the P&O Ferry redundancy scandal, the injustice the Post Office inflicted upon their sub-postmasters or the brutality inflicted upon the miners in 1984, it is clear that the working class do not have the same access to justice as those at the top.”

Not only has the government failed to crack down on loopholes, Mr Lavery added, “they've actually gone further, with attacks against working people and their ability to take strike action with the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act.

“We must now learn from these scandals, hold employers to account, increase access to justice and build a fairer country.”

Leeds East Labour MP Richard Burgon added: “It’s clear that despite all the crocodile tears, the Tory government has refused to act swiftly to prevent this kind of scandal ever happening again.

“For far too long, Tory governments have colluded with bosses to drive down workers’ rights while letting the wealthy get ever richer.”

The government has pledged a seafarers’ wages Act that would enforce minimum-wage legislation for boats operating primarily in British waters, but no legislation has been passed.

P&O and Irish Ferries have also not signed up to its seafarers’ charter of commitments to work towards higher standards.

The unions said the “feeble code of practice on ‘fire and rehire’ only makes breaking the law a bit more expensive,” while the welfare charter “is not mandatory, so bad employers can just ignore it, safe in the knowledge they will face zero consequences.”

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak added the national scandal “should have marked a new chapter in workers’ rights.

“But Tory ministers sat on their hands. And the reforms they are bringing in — like the code of practice on fire and rehire — aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the Conservative government has “completely failed to punish the perpetrators or even close the legal loopholes that were exploited and priced up by P&O’s wealthy owners in Dubai.”

Nautilus chief Mark Dickinson said: “We need a mandatory seafarers’ charter alongside bilateral arrangements to enforce decent pay and conditions reflective of local standards, not international minimums. 

“We need an employment Bill to close the legal loopholes and, once and for all, outlaw fire and rehire. Our nation’s maritime professionals, the backbone of our economy, deserve better.” 

Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe added: “From garment workers in Leicester to the treatment of seafarers, the lack of rights, protection and disrespect of workers by British companies has been appalling.”

A government spokesperson said it expects to bring its seafarers’ wages Act into force around the same time as French legislation this summer.

P&O Ferries and DP World have been contacted for comment.