Former Scottish secretary Alistair Carmichael has called on the UK Government to do more to support British merchant seafarers in the North Sea who are facing increased redundancies.
The northern isles MP tabled a parliamentary motion after one of his constituents Eric Tait, from Orkney, launched a petition.
He has demanded more action is taken to help crew who have been made redundant and replaced with cheaper, foreign workers.
Liberal Democrats Mr Carmichael and Orkney MSP Liam McArthur have met with Mr Tait and will be raising the issues this week in Westminster and Holyrood respectively.
Mr Carmichael wants UK shipping companies to work with Nautilus, the maritime union, to devise a strategy to support British seafarers facing redundancy.
He said: “This has affected a number of local seafarers who have served the industry for many years.
“Marine recruitment companies are creating these problems. They are advertising abroad for workers but neglecting to do so in the UK.
“The government can look into these practices and do more to strengthen the Merchant Shipping Act.
“We have seen the strength of the UK Merchant Navy come and go over the years. It does best when the government takes its responsibilities seriously and engages with the industry – seamen and shipping companies.”
He called on ministers to recognise the problem and bring forward measures to help resolve it.
