THE PRESS ASSOCIATION (Neil Lancefield, PA Transport Correspondent, and Josh Payne)
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Most seafarers replacing the 800 workers sacked by P&O Ferries are being paid below the UK's national minimum wage, the boss of the company has admitted.
Chief executive, Peter Hebblethwaite, told a joint session of the Commons' transport and business select committees that the average hourly pay of the new crew is just 5.50 per hour.
The minimum wage in the UK for people aged 23 and above is 8.91 per hour.
The sacked crew earned an average of 36,000 per year.
Mr Hebblethwaite told MPs: "On the routes that are international routes, that are governed by ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) standards, we are paying above ITF minimum wages."
Business committee member, Andy McDonald, said: "That's below the national minimum wage of this country.
"How do you reconcile that?"
Mr Hebblethwaite replied: "Where we are governed by national minimum wage, we will absolutely pay national minimum wage.
"This is an international seafaring model that is consistent with models throughout the globe and our competitors."
The ferry company boss offered no answer when Mr McDonald asked "could you sustain your lifestyle?" if he was paid the same as the new workers.
The Labour MP added: "How do you expect them to be able to feed their families and pay their bills?"
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