The United Kingdom saw an influx of something like 600,000 Polish workers when its borders were opened up to new EU citizens a couple of years ago. Press articles and news comment then flourished on the subject of British workers being denied jobs as they were “stolen” from under their noses by Polish nationals willing to work for less money.
So it was interesting when, a few weeks ago, some of Spinnaker’s consultants spent a training day visiting a Star Reefers vessel and discussing life at sea with the Master, a veteran Polish seafarer. This wonderful man, who gave up his time to show us round his gleaming ship, and who has dedicated his entire career to the sea, told us that in
Polish workers apparently have difficulty finding work because of an influx of cheap labour from The Ukraine. The situation is exacerbated because a considerable number of Poles are now returning home.
At the skilled end of the maritime market in
