Staff working on Carnival Cruise Lines’ Australian ships are reportedly receiving wages as low as $2.50 per hour, significantly below the minimum wage, while working over 10 hours a day. These allegations have been made by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), which describes the situation as one of the most severe forms of labor exploitation in the country. MUA organizer Shane Reside claims that Carnival targets workers from impoverished nations, bringing them to Australia under maritime crew visas. These workers often endure extreme conditions, frequently working up to 300 hours a month without seeing daylight for extended periods.
Reside emphasizes that while these employees earn more than the minimum wage in their home countries, they are subjected to harsh working conditions aboard ships that are effectively home-ported in Australia. He argues that Carnival’s operations exploit a loophole in the Coastal Trading Act, which exempts cruise operators from standard labor laws. This exemption allows Carnival to treat their vessels as international ships, despite operating primarily in Australian waters.
In response to the MUA’s claims, Carnival Cruise Lines stated that the union’s allegations are unfounded and do not reflect the company’s culture. Carnival asserts that its wages meet or exceed International Maritime Organization standards and that crew members benefit from free housing, food, and medical care. However, Carnival did not disclose specific wage details or working hours, leaving questions about the treatment of its crew members unresolved.
