25 July 2024
RMT Press Office:
RMT has called on Crown Estate profits to be used to secure decent contracts, pay and working conditions for offshore workers.
In its annual report for
2023-24, Crown Estate profits have more than doubled to £1.1 bn.
RMT says there is an opportunity to use these profits and expanded borrowing powers to improve employment conditions and promote sustainable supply chains in the offshore energy sector.
Improving employment conditions would support a 'just transition' for oil and gas workers to the clean offshore energy sector, which is crucial for meeting international carbon reduction targets.
However, recent failures by the previous government have led to no bids from offshore wind developers in the Contract for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 5, creating uncertainty for thousands of offshore workers.
The new Scottish Secretary has also committed to reforms supporting worker retraining in the renewables sector.
Similar reforms in England and Wales could positively impact Crown Estate Scotland, where worker protections are currently weaker.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "Offshore workers and seafarers face an uncertain future with some still barely earning the national minimum wage and existing on insecure contracts.
"This is as a result of 14 years of in action by the last Conservative government.
"We welcome the Labour Government’s plans for a Crown Estate Bill and we are ready to work with Ministers and officials in order to deliver a better deal for offshore and supply chain workers.
"Lucrative leasing agreements have returned £1.1bn to the Crown over 12 months but none of this has been ringfenced to advance just transition policies."
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