Canadian seafarers are concerned with a new agreement reached between Transport Canada and the Philippines that will allow Filipino seafarers to work on Canadian-flagged vessels.

FFAW-Unifor says Canadian seafarers are fearful that the move signals what it calls a “rapid erosion of quality, at-sea jobs in favour of low-wage labour.”

The union is concerned that Ottawa is attempting to lower marine safety standards or grandfather in substandard marine safety regimes.

President Greg Pretty says the union has over 200 members who work in offshore jobs who are most affected by the Transport Canada decision.

He says unemployment rates are “alarmingly high” throughout Atlantic Canada yet the federal government is looking at ways to make it harder for Canadians to compete for jobs right on their doorstep.