P&O Ferries has been forced to reverse an attempt to pay its new, cheaper agency workers even less money.
It comes after the RMT Union received reports of agency workers at Dover being asked to sign new contracts replacing their old ones on lower pay.
The union reported P&O Ferries to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which ensured the new workers retained their original wages.
The company has been asked for comment but has so far not responded.
P&O Ferries sacked almost 800 employees last month and brought in cheaper agency workers on some of its boats, in a move it said would ensure the future of the business.
However, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) said the firm was now "trying to bring in an exploitative model, with the lowest possible standards they can get away with".
RMT said that a seafarer on the Spirit of Britain ferry at Dover had initially contacted the union begging for help in a dispute over pay.
In an email seen by the BBC the worker wrote: "They don't care about our rights. They try to give us less money. We are desperate."
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it was "good P&O have reversed [the] further attempt at a pay cut", but added that "they must go much further and pay the minimum wage like all UK businesses".
"We will legislate to force them, but they could win back some much needed credibility by acting now," he said.
On Friday, the Spirit of Britain was cleared to resume sailing after...
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