The owner of P&O ferries, DP World, is set to attend a crucial investment summit following a rebuke by Minister Louise Haigh. The summit is vital for the UK government’s plans to attract investments in the country. Despite initial tensions over Haigh’s comments calling P&O Ferries a “cowboy operator,” efforts have been made to ensure DP World’s participation in the event.
The controversy began when P&O Ferries sacked 800 British seafarers in March 2022 and replaced them with cheaper foreign staff. This move led to widespread criticism from MPs across party lines. In response, Haigh and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner introduced legislation to prevent similar actions in the future.
While Haigh referred to P&O Ferries as “cowboy operators” and encouraged a boycott, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer distanced himself from her remarks. He emphasized the importance of inward investment for creating secure and well-paid jobs, highlighting the need to focus on the future.
Despite the criticism, DP World will now participate in the investment summit, signaling a potential resolution to the conflict. Labour MP Liam Byrne acknowledged Haigh’s concerns regarding P&O’s past behavior but emphasized the need for new legislation to regulate how companies treat their employees.
The upcoming summit aims to showcase firms that have already invested billions in the UK and attract new deals. The government intends to send a clear message that unethical practices, like those seen in the past with P&O Ferries, will not be tolerated. The Employment Rights Bill will provide a framework for ensuring fair treatment of workers by companies operating in the UK.
Overall, the conflict between P&O Ferries and the government highlights the importance of ethical business practices and the need for regulations to protect workers. The investment summit presents an opportunity to promote responsible investments and send a strong message to companies considering doing business in the UK.
