SHIPPING union RMT lifted the lid yesterday on a the scandalous exploitation of a group of Estonian seafarers working aboard a Scottish-government backed service. 

The seafarers are working on a vessel chartered by CalMac from a company called Seatruck that operates lifeline ferry services for the Scottish government on the Clyde and Hebrides network.

Estonian workers are paid as little as £4.19 per hour and although CalMac have agreed to bring them up to the RMT rate, Seatruck have callously refused to accept this payment.

RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said: “The fact that is happening on a route under the control of the Scottish government raises serious questions about just how seriously they take the issue of exploitation in their back yard.”