ROV North Sea – Foreigners being employed on cheaper rates?

[James McLauchlan]

But shouldn’t companies need to prove to the authorities that they cannot get a UK worker with the experience/quals (pay rates aside) to do the job?

I guess it may be more a case of them saying that they can’t get the right person at the low rate they have offered for the last few months, even though (unbeknown to the agency that issues the permits) the rate was well below par for the job.

[xl6]

Maybe this will enlighten all the fuss..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m89SB59DT34

The bigger picture of the confusion..

[Andy Shiers]

Life of Brian , if you ask me 😀

[Ray Shields]

But shouldn’t companies need to prove to the authorities that they cannot get a UK worker with the experience/quals (pay rates aside) to do the job?.

Not the way I read it, they just have to show there is a shortage of that trade, not that there are no suitable locals.

[James McLauchlan]

So where is the shortage right now?

[Ray Shields]

I point the Honorable Getleman to the Section entitled Agency Requirements and the postings thereof 😀

[James McLauchlan]

Good point, but I view that as a requirement not an overall shortage.
On the one had we can’t say that the industry is awash with trainees/PT II’s but on the other say there is a shortage of personnel simply because a few jobs have been posted.

[luckyjim37]

Is it not a case of companies are cutting overheads by employing a labour force quite legally from with the EU member states or South Africa for less and employing them around the world to save money.

Just like we as British have worked all over the world when over the last few years when there have been a growing number of local techs as capable if not more capable to do the job.

Yes the younger up and coming guys should get off there arses and prove they are worth their job but so should a lot of the older guys who sit and moan about how crap it all is.

The guy who said about everyone driving x5’s kind of has a point.

We work half the year on average and earn more than a lot of people who work harder but have to work five to six days a week.

We have a good to high standard of living.

Lots of guys don’t even pay any tax on there earnings due to living in cheaper countries or getting it back.

Maybe for to long we have not had any real labour competition and now it is time to stand up and be counted. Do your job to the best of your ability and stop worrying about what the other guy is earning.

I spoke with a guy who works in construction (on land not offshore).

He laughed when a Polish worker complained that the Lithuanian workers were undercutting them just like the Polish workers have done to a lot of Brits.

The world is getting smaller in terms of labour forces so deal with it. You either swim or drowned it is your choice.

Even if you manage to get a uni0n up and running with the majority of the Brit pilots onboard it still would not have the power to influence the companies from stopping employing workers from the EU.

Ok these workers would go and fill all the jobs outside of the North Sea but that would still reduce the requirement for British workers potentially.

As for Scott Bev’s , amongst others, twisted view of day rates I seem to recall earlier in the year a lot of people with his views not working due to turning day rates down. That is all well and good if you own half the property and land in which ever third world country you chose to live in but for family guys in the UK it would appear that you have to swallow your pride through the rough times and enjoy the good times. If rates dip for a bit then you work for a little less when they go back up you enjoy them.

[Anonymous]

As weak as they are, UK employment laws dont really count for much when your offshore. Even in the UK sector. On vessels the galleys and decks are awash with cheaper foreign nationals, usually from Asia. Have any laws been broken by employing these non-europeans? Of course not. Its a romantic vision to think that there is some kind of UK employment protection for offshore workers or a need to prove there is a shortage in that industry.

When it comes to vessel based work. From galley hands, AB’s, Riggers, 3rd Engineers and now ROV P/T. Companies are turning to cheaper labour to reduce their cost base. It will of course continue under the present law. As long as there is competition between companies and a drive to reduce costs.

[Andy Shiers]

All down to experience , If you have it , you should be able to charge for it ! If you don’t then you should walk before you run 😉

[Scott Beveridge]

Lost,

That about sums it up.

Luckyjim,

My "twisted" view of dayrates applies to all and sundry. There’s a big disparity of rates offshore…. Sensibly, it (dayrates) should be in a scheduled table. Yes, it sounds a bit socialist. AND pay raise freezes should be implemented if a bad appraisal from a supv. / supt. should materialize.

[rovpilot]

All down to experience , If you have it , you should be able to charge for it ! If you don’t then you should walk before you run 😉

:tup:

[Author]

Posts