In this powerful episode of We Can Work It Out, we mark four years since the mass dismissal of 786 seafarers by P&O Ferries—an event that continues to reverberate across the maritime sector and beyond.

Drawing on the launch of a major new research report, this episode brings together firsthand testimony, academic analysis, and policy insight to examine what really happened on 17 March 2022—and why it still matters today. Former seafarer John Lansdown recounts the shock of being dismissed via a brief video message and the devastating aftermath, highlighting the profound personal, professional, and psychological consequences experienced by workers and their families.

The episode explores key findings from the study, including widespread dissatisfaction with communication, lack of consultation, and perceived failures in both legal protections and trade union responses. With 83% of participants reporting negative mental health impacts and many forced out of the industry altogether, the human cost of corporate decision-making is brought sharply into focus.

Beyond the individual stories, the discussion critically examines systemic issues—legal loopholes, weak enforcement mechanisms, and enduring power imbalances in employment relations. The episode concludes with a clear call to action: stronger legislation, empowered unions, and renewed collective engagement to ensure such events cannot happen again.

This is not just a story about seafarers—it is a warning about the fragility of worker protections in modern Britain. Enjoy the discussion.