As part of the 2009-12 Agreement, the Signatory companies had undertaken to lobby the industry to agree provisions in contracts for diving services work with a view to introducing, by March 2011, 2 new types of compensation scheme, with the establishment of these benefits and their payment being contingent on our ability to recoup the amounts from clients.
Following a lengthy feasibility study, it was reported to Workforce Reps in November 2010 that we were unable to introduce the schemes, along with the reasons.
However, we are committed a 'compromise solution' in which we always proactively seek payment in respect of standby when delays occur outwith a 3-day window and, where clients agree, always pass on a standby payment to the workers affected.
The Signatories' key areas of work over 2010-11 have been:
- developing a UK Training Matrix for job functions receiving the Divers' Additional Training Allowance (DATA) following consensus amongst ODIA contractors on which courses they all agree are 'core'. This helps divers and supervisors focus their training fund on courses which all contractors value, and supports longer-term skills planning for the UK sector.
- developing arrangements which support the recognition or 'transfer' of competence between ODIA contractors. This helps diving personnel port their competence achievements between different contractors, avoids duplication of effort and time, and supports the faster and earlier completion of competence portfolios. The ODIA Recognition or Transfer Arrangements are set out in
Explanatory Notes (for workers who access competence assessment through a single or main company scheme)
Explanatory Notes (for very transient or agency workers who are not part of a single or main company scheme)
- establishing a shared ODIA Competence Scheme for these very transient or agency workers who are not currently part of a single or main company competence scheme. It is hoped to introduce this Scheme by Summer 2012.
The Signatories are keen that these, and other matters of relevance to the workforce, are discussed in detail with Reps and the RMT, feedback on which is published in the quarterly Workforce Updates - see the 'Downloads' section on this website.
Further information on the strategy, plans and progress to date may be obtained from the Coordinator.
The signatory companies support the UK Government's aim to extend the provisions of the Pensions Act 2008 to offshore workers. However, the legislation has been drafted for a static onshore workforce and there is a lack of detail on how this will work in practice for the personnel who work on our behalf in the UK sector.
The signatory companies are working with IMCA at UK level to address the jurisdictional and practical difficulties we have identified. Meantime, although liabilities under the Act will arise in different ways for different employers, the ODIA has established a short-life Working Group to examine the issues, and consider whether there might be scope for collaboration within the industry.
Further detail can be found in the December 2011 Workforce Update, available from the Downloads' section of the website.