News / Maersk fined for firing whistleblower who reported safety concerns

Photo: VesselFinder

Maersk’s US arm has been ordered to pay more than $700,000 to an employee fired after complaining to the US Coast Guard about the safety of a vessel.

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) awarded the unnamed seafarer $250,000 in punitive damages, as well as $457,759 in back pay, interest and compensatory damages, after deeming the 2021 sacking illegal.

OSHA said: “Federal law protects a seafarer’s right to report safety concerns to regulatory agencies, a fact every ...