P&O Ferries accused of ‘gangster behavior’ after nearly 200 valuable belongings of workers were robbed and disappeared
P&O Ferries has been accused of ‘gangster behavior’ after nearly 200 workers’ furloughed valuables are believed to have gone missing in the company’s mass layoffs.
Former workers on the company’s Dover ferries were unable to return to their accommodation on board to pack up their belongings in March because the entire crew was laid off in just one day via Zoom.
The burning ferry company – owned by Dubai-based DP World – has now confirmed nearly 200 of the 786 people who have lost their jobs believe the items are missing.
A former P&O Ferries worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said ‘people are fuming’ over the property lost in the process of replacing UK workers with foreign agency staff.
Former workers on the company’s Dover ferries were unable to return to their on-board accommodation to pack up their belongings in March because the entire crew was laid off in just one day via Zoom
They said: ‘If they had just let people collect their devices, all of this could have been avoided.’
Of the 177 crew members who filed a claim against P&O Ferries for missing items, 132 filed the claim before the end date of June 30 set by their former employer.
It is understood that the company is expected to process about three-quarters of the requests by the end of this week.
The shocking statement comes just three months after criminal and civil investigations were launched into the company’s decision to fire 786 workers without notice.
Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said the Bankruptcy Authority had begun a ‘official civil and criminal investigation’ and that he would ‘follow this matter closely’ alongside Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
The investigation comes after P&O Ferries admitted to breaking the law in such a way that it terminated staff on March 17 in order to hire cheaper agency staff, a move that prompted a backlash from regulators. politicians and workers.
P&O Ferries chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite said in a joint hearing of the Commons transport and business committees that his company broke the law by not consulting the organisations. union before firing workers.
P&O Ferries chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite said in a joint hearing of the Commons transport and business committees that his company broke the law by not consulting the organisations. union before firing workers.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT union representing beachgoers, said: ‘There seems to be no end to P&O’s gangster behaviour. ‘They not only illegally fired 800 staff, but also the cold prevents many people from returning for wealth’
The Bankruptcy Service said: ‘Following its request, the Bankruptcy Service has initiated formal criminal and civil investigations into the circumstances surrounding P&O Ferries’ recent redundancies. ‘
Comments in a Facebook group for laid-off workers show that many who submitted claims did not receive the full amount they believed they were owed, often because it was difficult to prove ownership of the assets. items worth more than £50.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT union representing beachgoers, said: ‘There seems to be no end to P&O’s gangster behaviour.
‘They not only illegally fired 800 staff, but also the frost prevented many people from coming back for wealth.
‘The government should immediately cancel all contracts it has with P&O, impound its ships and take over the operation of ferries in British waters.’
A spokesman for P&O Ferries said 25% of outstanding claims require more details to be resolved.
They added: ‘We appreciate the disappointment a small number of our former seafarers have experienced in relation to the return of their personal items.
‘Our top priority remains to reunite people with their assets or to compensate individuals with proven claims.’
