MARITIME union RMT called on the Scottish government yesterday to end the extreme poverty wages of seafarers employed by an “exploitative” ferry operator.

RMT revealed that the Lithuania-registered Finlandia Seaways service which operates between the Scottish town of Rosyth and Belgium, employs Lithuanian seafarers on the vessel on rates of pay as low as £1.64 per hour, well below the current national minimum wage for over 25s of £7.20 per hour.

The Scottish government has given grants of at least £356,000 to support the route while the European Union has invested around £5.5 million.

RMT demonstrated outside the office of SNP MP Douglas Chapman near Rosyth Port yesterday, urging for intervention by the government.

The union’s general secretary Mick Cash welcomed Scottish government support for a thriving Scottish port and shipping sector but warned that this should not be at any price.

He called on the Scottish government to insist that parent company DFDS Seaways — Northern Europe’s largest shipping company — should “pay at the very least the minimum wage and negotiate a collective agreement with the unions.”

He continued: “The Scottish transport minister has already taken welcome steps to end exploitative practices by Seatruck on vessels working the Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland routes.

“RMT now call on the Scottish government to take action to tackle all ports of shame in Scotland — starting with Rosyth.”

Douglas Chapman MP said: “I am happy to help the RMT members affected secure better pay and conditions.”

He said an offer to meet has already been extended to RMT officials.