Tag: ITF

African maritime unions commit to new labour convention

First all-female intake of ITF-sponsored students enrols at World Maritime University

ITF comment the fatal Hong Kong collision

Seafarers bill of rights to come into force

ITF and ISF Stress Vital Need for Industry to be Ready

Employers, Unions Welcome Entry Into Force Of ILO Maritime Labour Convection In Just 12 Month s Time

Women s issues take centre stage at Mumbai Port workshop

Women have to confront discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying and violence onboard The issues and challenges facing women seafarers came under the spotlight at the ITF's recent Asia-Pacific seafarers and fisheries committee meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, 12-13 June 2012."Women working in a predominantly male, and often hostile, environment have to confront discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying and violence in their workplace on board ship," said Mich-elle Myers, a delegate from the Maritime Union of Australia. "One reason for this is their very small presence in the industry".Although the meeting heard that the numbers are growing, especially on cruise ships, and that more women are coming through the maritime academies, women still represent less than one per cent of approximately 1.25 million seafarers in the region.Delegates at the meeting debated why there were so few women seafarers, the steps unions needed to take to make the industry woman friendly, and how greater numbers would help improve conditions for women seafarers.Jon Whitlow, seafarers section secretary said: "This was the best and longest ever discussion on the issue of women seafarers in the region. The debate needs to continue to encourage women to be a part of this important industry."Find out about ITF resources for ...

The ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) continued to fight to secure the release of two Moroccan trade unionists who have been arrested on what it describes as 'unbelievable' charges. The two men are Said Elhairech, general secretary of the Syndicats UMT des Transports, and chair of the ITF's Arab World regional committee, and Mohamed Chamchati, general secretary of the merchant seafarers' union.Following its protests to Morocco's ministries of transport and justice, the ITF is seeking an urgent meeting with the country's ambassadors in the UK and Australia, while ITF-affiliated unions do the same in France and Spain.Writing to the Moroccan ambassador in London, ITF general secretary David Cockroft said:'These arrests are of particular concern given the gravity of the accusations both men face, which we believe to include criminal conspiracy to threaten national security, and economic sabotage. From our knowledge of both men, and in particular of the valuable work that Said Elhairech has carried out in alleviating the distress of the seafarers left abandoned following the cessation of operations by Comarit-Comanav, we can be certain that an error of understanding has taken place. We understand that the arrests followed telephone interceptions in which normal trade union discussions have been ...

Action by ITF over the shocking condition of shipping on the Black Sea Trade unions from Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine, working with the ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation), are releasing a report today, Monday 25th June, that they hope will help shame governments into action over the shocking condition of shipping on the Black Sea.The report Black Sea of Shame - which can be seen at www.itfglobal.org/infocentre/pubs.cfm/detail/34854 - is intended to help unions raise the issue with their national governments. Starting today, June 25th the Day of the Seafarer, they plan to sound the alarm over the dire state of affairs in the area, alleging that ancient shipping, rock bottom and unpaid wages, assaults, sinkings and corruption are widespread.ITF maritime coordinator Steve Cotton commented: "This is a true catalogue of shame. Our inspectors and our member unions are dealing with the human costs of unsafe and ageing shipping, and managements who consider crews a dispensable luxury, to be paid at whim and undeserving of basic protections, including insurance against death and injury.""This is the beginning of a long haul, that we know will take years, to reform this scandalous state of affairs. We start by going to ...