In an incident that has stirred controversy, a renowned cruise line has been caught in a dispute over alleged mistreatment of its crew, with video evidence suggesting an attempt to block government and union representatives from boarding the vessel.
The Carnival Adventure, a cruise ship with a capacity for 2,600 passengers and operated by the American company Carnival Cruise Line, became the focus of attention when officials from SafeWork NSW and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) attempted to access the ship on Monday morning. This move came after reports surfaced regarding disturbing conditions faced by the crew.
The Maritime Union of Australia, a part of the larger Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), represents over 100,000 Australian workers and has been vocal about its concerns over the welfare of those working on ships like the Carnival Adventure.
The situation unfolded at the NSW Government-owned passenger wharf in Circular Quay, Sydney, where union representatives Shane Reside and Paul Keating recorded their efforts to accompany two SafeWork officials to the docked vessel. Their footage captures a tense exchange with security personnel clad in vests and senior ship officers, who informed them of instructions to prevent external parties from boarding.
In the video, a SafeWork official can be heard asserting their authority, stating, “That’s my badge, I’m a government official,” as they made their case for entry, signaling the seriousness of the allegations under investigation.
“That’s my badge, I’m a government official,” a SafeWork employee can be heard telling cruise staff.
“I’ve been told not to permit anyone on board,” replied a senior officer.
Another cruise worker then approached the group, reiterating he will not allow authorities to board.
“Do you guys understand? You’ve been formally advised that you won’t be attending the ship today so I respectfully ask you to leave,” the man said.
“You can’t tell me what the reason is that we’re not allowed on?” replied a SafeWork official.
The man refused to answer, saying he had already outlined the reasons a number of times.
“I dont know what this company has got to hide but they set their entire squad of thugs down to refuse the state government inspectors from getting on board,” Reside then told the camera.
The confrontation comes just weeks after the MUA said it received reports from a whistleblower working on board the Carnival Encounter cruise ship docked in Darwin.
An Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) spokesperson confirmed they had looked into a number of claims of “seafarer health and safety issues”, following MUA allegations that workers are being forced to live in overcrowded conditions below deck with no safe free drinking water, earning as little as $2.50 an hour.
MUA has accused the global cruise giant of using loopholes to employ foreign crew members excluded from Australian employment laws.
Meanwhile, in a statement to news.com.au, a Carnival Cruise spokesperson said they “won’t be threatened by the CFMEU”.
“They have no authority to board our ship, bully our crew or violate security protocols that create risks for our guests,” they said.
“The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the proper regulator for protecting seafarers’ working and living conditions, and they are always welcome on-board.
“SafeWork NSW had written to us on Sunday saying they not be seeking to board the ship, which had been communicated to our crew. We were certainly surprised by SafeWork’s about-face and the pressure applied to our crew.”
Following a meeting with SafeWork NSW on Tuesday, a Carnival spokesperson also labelled claims that access was refused to the government agency as “false”.
“SafeWorkNSW confirmed their officer was present in a dispute resolution capacity, and was not seeking to access the vessel.”
MUA Sydney Branch Secretary Paul Keating, who also holds a Work Health and Safety permit (WHS), said workers have a right to speak with and be advised by unions.
He told news.com.au the situation was “unlike anything the union had ever seen”.
“Workers have the right to be represented. That applies to every workplace, including vessels,” he said.
In Australia, union officials or employees are able to obtain a WHS entry permit to exercise the right of entry to a workplace.
Permit holders do not need to provide notice to the business prior to their arrival.
“Refusing entry to a WHS permit holder is not a technicality. It is a breach of NSW safety laws. Section 121 of the Act exists to protect workers from exactly this kind of corporate behaviour,” said Keating.
Changes to the laws in NSW this month now allow worker safety organisations like MUA to launch proceedings against companies who refuse to follow workplace health and safety law.
The maximum penalty for refusing, delaying or obstructing the entry of a WHS permit holder is $74,849 per incident.
MUA and SafeWork NSW authorities have allegedly been refused entry on three separate occasions.
Footage from a previous attempt to board by union officials saw a heated confrontation break out between union officials and a Carnival employee.
“You take your f**king hand off me yeah,” said the union official, as a cruise employee slammed a gate in his face.
“We have a right to come on board to speak to our members that work on these vessels,” the MUA official said.
Keating said thousands of Carnival workers had contacted the union in recent months, with many hailing from the Philippines, Indonesia and India.
“Given these people look after Australians when we go on our holidays, we should be looking after them too,” he said.
SafeWork NSW has been contacted for comment.
