DOL Says Maersk Retaliated Against Worker Who Reported Safety Concerns

The U.S. Department of Labor said Maersk Line, Limited was ordered to pay more than $700,000 in back wages and damages for illegally firing a worker who reported safety concerns about a company vessel to the Coast Guard. The department said Maersk terminated the worker in violation of the Seaman’s Protection Act, which prohibits companies from enforcing policies requiring employees to report safety concerns internally before reporting them to the Coast Guard. The worker in December 2020 told the Coast Guard that gear on a ship that is used to release lifeboats didn’t work and nee...