Australia extends cruise labour-law exemption through 2028
The federal government has retained the long-standing exemption while adding collective-bargaining and complaint-reporting protections for crew members.
Australia’s federal government has extended until 2028 an exemption allowing cruise ships to operate under the international Maritime Labour Convention rather than Australian labour law. Introduced in 1998, the exemption had been due to expire at the end of this year.
New conditions prevent cruise operators from restricting crew members’ collective-bargaining rights. Complaints relating to working conditions under the Maritime Labour Convention must also be reported to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
The decision follows allegations by workers against Carnival involving 12-hour shifts seven days a week, medical neglect, unsafe drinking water and pay of less than $3 an hour. Carnival denied those allegations.
Maritime Union of Australia national secretary Jake Field said the exemption should be abolished, arguing that its continuation would further entrench exploitation of foreign seafarers. Carnival said it was reviewing the announcement’s details. Neither Carnival nor Royal Caribbean Cruises commented on whether they would begin collective bargaining with crews. Carnival operates Adventure, Encounter and Splendor full-time in Australia.