Labour could end the exploitation of foreign workers on British-flagged ships, a shadow minister suggested yesterday.

A report by shipping experts at the University of Cardiff and funded by seafarers’ union RMT called on ministers to end wage exploitation of foreign nationals by tightening the enforcement of the minimum wage.

The report called for the government to consider implementing the 2010 Carter review — a government-commissioned report which made the case that seafarers’ wages should be the same regardless of nationality.

A “mariners’ manifesto” issued by RMT said a certain proportion of jobs on British ships could be reserved for the national workforce.

It said British-flagged freight vessels between Harwich and the Hook of Holland were paying workers as little as £2.39 an hour.

Other workers on ships “flagged out” to other countries earn even less, the union said.

The Labour-commissioned Carter report was jettisoned by the Con-Dem coalition in 2010 after it was criticised by shipping bosses.

But Labour shadow business minister Gordon Marsden told a meeting at Parliament launching the Cardiff report that its recommendations would be reconsidered if Labour wins the election in May, according to shipping journal Lloyd’s List.

Questioned by the paper, Mr Marsden refused to make a solid commitment but said the issue would be reopened.

“I’m not saying we will and I’m not saying we won’t (equalise pay), but we will revisit the Carter review,” he said.

RMT national secretary Steve Todd said he looked forward “to making the arguments again for adopting Carter.”