Trade unions from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) resolved to support the promotion and growth of the Sri Lankan maritime industry. The Maritime Roundtable also gathered young activists to establish networks and increase the organising capacity of dockers’ and seafarers’ unions.
Many maritime trade unionists associated with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have expressed their support to Captain Gennadiy Gavrylov, calling on the Sri Lankan government to reassure on his safe way back home.
The International Transport Forum (ITF) published a report providing an overview of direct and indirect subsidies available to maritime transport in OECD countries. The report analyzes if they provide value for taxpayers’ money and offers suggestions on how policy makers can improve the effectiveness of maritime subsidies.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) welcomed the Iranian authorities release of seven crew members from the detained British-flagged tanker Stena Impero, but urged for a transparent solution to this matter for the release of the other 16 seafarers who remain onboard, away from their families.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) published a statement on the loss of migrants trying to pass through the English Channel in small boats to reach British waters. In August alone, a record of 270 attempted to cross the Channel.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) announced that it has serious concerns regarding the lack of understanding shown by many governments in relation to international shipping and the role played by seafarers. In a recent message from the US State Department to the maritime industry, it informs that it will invoke anti-terrorism legislation to deny seafarers a US visa if they work on board a vessel carrying Iranian oil.
The ITF has joined Irish dock workers union SIPTU, during its urgent call for better protection for all workers in Ireland’s ports, after a 50-year-old truck driver lost his life in North Docks at Dublin Port on August 14. The death of the worker marks the seventh death of a worker in an Irish port in the last two years.
MV Lita, the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, was detained for nine days due to the fact that Belgian Authorities that inspected the vessel discovered dozens of safety breaches and deficiencies against the crews’ working conditions.
Maritime and transport unions from numerous countries have supported Australian wharfies in fighting job losses, outsourcing, automation and threats to conditions at container terminals in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) stated.
Another worker had a fatal accident inside Hutchison Port’s Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT), marking the second fatality at the terminal this year. The 23-year-old truck driver, that lost his life on July 21, ‘was crushed when a container lowered on top of him as he slept on the back of his truck’ in early morning, as ITF reports.
