The Maritime Union of Australia has launched a scathing attack on the world's largest cruise operator, alleging staff on its Australian fleet are subjected to some of the worst labour exploitation seen in the country, with pay rates as low as $2.50 per hour.
Allegations of Third-World Wages in Australian Waters
According to the Sydney branch of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), workers aboard Carnival Cruise Lines' Australian ships, including the Carnival Splendor, Encounter, and Adventure, are receiving wages comparable to those in developing economies. Union organiser Shane Reside told 7NEWS.com.au that the company "preys" on workers from underprivileged nations, flying them in from some of the poorest economies to work in Australian waters.
"They join the ship, sail for a period anywhere between six months and 12 months ordinarily and then at the conclusion of their contract, they drive them back to the airport and fly them home," Reside explained. He described a situation where crew, working on home-ported vessels along the Australian coast with mostly Australian passengers, are paid wages suited to Bali or Phuket, not Australia.
Exhausting Hours and Legal Loopholes
The union's campaign highlights gruelling working conditions, with claims staff are working up to 300 hours per month – roughly double standard full-time hours. Reside shared disturbing accounts of workers labouring below deck for months without seeing daylight.
The MUA alleges this exploitation is enabled by a legal loophole. Carnival reportedly operates under a temporary licence from the Coastal Trading Act, which exempts it from federal labour laws by classifying its ships as international vessels. This exemption, typically for short-stay vessels like oil tankers, is being applied to cruise ships that are effectively based in Australia.
"For all intents and purposes they're Australian vessels, but they're exempted because of the loophole the law creates for them," Reside stated. The union argues this leaves workers, often on maritime crew visas, fearful of complaining about conditions lest they lose their right to stay in Australia.
Carnival's Defence and Government Response
Carnival Cruise Line has hit back at the MUA's campaign, criticising the "vulgar language" used in what it calls "unfounded accusations." The company stated its wages meet or exceed International Maritime Organisation standards and are supplemented by free housing, food, medical care, and other benefits.
"We are proud of the fact that our retention rates lead the industry," a Carnival spokesperson said, noting that over 95% of P&O Cruises Australia crew stayed on when it folded into Carnival. The company did not, however, address specific questions about hourly pay rates or monthly working hours.
Following a 2024 independent review, the government announced changes to the Coastal Trading Act, granting the minister power to cancel temporary licences. However, the MUA insists more must be done to protect crew members. "The MUA is not going to sit idly by and allow international seafarers to be exploited on our coast," Reside declared.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, which upholds the temporary licences, was contacted for comment.
