Tag: ITF

ITF reacted with disappointmet for UN COP17 climate change conference Global union federation the ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) reacted with disappointment to the failure of the UN COP17 climate change conference in Durban, South Africa, to deliver any progress on climate change so far.Speaking from the conference, ITF climate change coordinator Alana Dave reported: "Negotiations are at a complete standstill - despite us being in a situation where emissions are still rising, the forecasts are becoming increasingly grave, and extraordinary weather conditions are destroying jobs, homes and peoples' lives."She continued: "It seems as if narrow economic interests and pressure from multinationals, not least in the fossil fuel industry, are being allowed to override attempts to reach a binding agreement to protect our climate and the future of our planet.""Despite the enormous potential for change represented by this conference, and at a time when the International Energy Agency's chief economist is warning that we only have five years left to make radical changes to avoid dangerous climate change, this event is looking more and more like one more wasted opportunity."Commenting from Durban, Asbjorn Wahl, chair of the ITF climate change working group, explained: "There is an urgent need for a ...

Request to the government to grant Victor Nikolskiy, Master of m/v Faina Labour activists and industry representatives in Russia have backed a proposal that could enhance state awards for seafarers.Attending the congress of the ITF-affiliated Seafarers' Union of Russia (SUR) in St Petersburg on 25 November, the more than 100 participants - from international trade union leaders and government officials to shipping company and maritime academy representatives - called for improvements to be made in legislation regarding state awards for seafarers. The issue arose in light of the SUR's support for a request to the government to grant Victor Nikolskiy, Master of m/v Faina an award; he exhibited bravery when his vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates in September 2008.Delegates also broached a variety of other subjects including the right of union representatives to gain unhindered access to members in ports.The congress elected Yury Sukhorukov, former SUR vice-president, to the SUR presidency. He promised to work to increase wages for seafarers, improve vessels' safety standards, strengthen trade union solidarity and further promote the SUR to build union strength.Invited to represent the ITF, Stephen Cotton, the federation's maritime coordinator, congratulated Sukhorukov on his election and pledged to work closely with the ...

From 5 - 9 December ITF inspectors will target ships calling at Chinese and UAE ports Shipping companies from China and the UAE are set to be the focus of International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) action in India this week.From 5 - 9 December ITF inspectors will target ships calling at the ports of Mumbai, Kandla, New Mangalore, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata and Haldia during the action."Our focus will include UAE and Chinese shipping companies, several of whom are accused of denying seafarers basic working rights, often on sub-standard vessels with low salaries and fewer amenities," said Mahendra Sharma, ITF Asia/Pacific regional secretary."We will also be targeting those German and Greek owned vessels that find ways to avoid signing ITF agreements on their vessels. Unions at Kandla and New Mangalore will also be paying particular attention to STX vessels, in relation to the dispute involving the Longview dockers," Sharma said.Source: Seatrade Asia

Inspection of FOC vessels at major Indian ports Indian seafarers and port workers plan to launch a joint campaign against poor working-condition of men on board of flag-of-convenience (FOC) ships.For a week from December 5, the volunteers of seafarers and port unions will inspect FOC vessels at major Indian ports including Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru ports. Their findings will be reported to the maritime regulator.The campaign, part of a global initiative by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), is being launched in India jointly by three trade unions-Transport and dock workers union, National Union of Seafarers of India and the Maritime Union of India, statement issued by one of the unions said. The campaign is also against operation of sub-standard ships.A flag of convenience ship is one that flies the flag of a country other than the country of ownership. Such ships are generally referred as FOC vessels. These ships normally do not follow the manning norms, standard of maintenance and on-board working conditions.Shipowners go for FOC registration as the registration fees are normally low, they can employ cheap labour and the taxes will be nil or low."This is what makes the flag so attractive to shipowners" said a union ...

AIDS is an issue of concern in the port sector An ITF study into how HIV/AIDS is affecting port communities has shown that more action is needed from trade unions.The study is being released as part of World AIDS Day, and can be seen at www.itfglobal.org/HIV-Aids/port-study.cfm .The project found that HIV/AIDS is an issue of concern in the port sector, and that, as with other transport sectors, there is a need for behavioural change and for the gaps in awareness and knowledge identified to be addressed. At least some of the onus for these tasks falls on trade unions, the ITF believes.ITF dockers' section secretary Frank Leys said: "Some transport sectors have been much more badly hit than others by HIV/AIDS, but none is immune, and anyone who ignores that fact risks letting down all those who are affected. That's why we began this research and why we will now dedicate ourselves to doing our best to put in place the practices that it identifies as being needed by those working in the world's ports."ITF HIV/AIDS coordinator Dr Asif Altaf commented: "The ITF should build on these findings, as well as its experience in other sectors, to help affiliates take ...

Survey examining the potential impact of HIV/AIDS among port communities A survey examining the potential impact of HIV/AIDS among port communities - and their attitudes to it - has illustrated the need for union action and support, according to the ITF.The survey is being released as part of a wider study of HIV/AIDS in docks and ports in time for World Aids Day, on December 1st.The survey's aims were:to gather and analyse information on the impact of HIV/AIDS in the port sector and the related trade unions;to increase understanding of the HIV/AIDS knowledge, perceptions and needs of ITF affiliates; and to prepare appropriate responses.Its findings were that HIV/AIDS is an issue of concern in the port sector, and that, as with other transport sectors, there is a need for behavioural change and for the gaps in awareness and knowledge identified to be addressed. At least some of the onus for these tasks falls on trade unions.The survey and findings have been included in the report HIV/AIDS, Ports and Port Workers. This includes a brief overview of HIV/AIDS in ports and docks, followed by a report on the views, activities and needs of ITF-affiliated unions in relation to the epidemic; and ...

To mark 1 December World AIDS Day A series of ship visits by HIV/AIDS activists have been among the myriad of activities organised by ITF affiliates around the world to mark 1 December World AIDS Day.The Bali branch of Kesatuan Pelaut Indonesia and the Norwegian Seafarers' Union jointly organised a day of activities involving seafarers, fishers, their families, students from the marine school and HIV positive workers. Activists visited ships and distributed ITF campaign materials and condoms among seafarers and fishers. The unionists also ran a talk show on challenging stigma, during which HIV positive workers shared their stories and participated in awareness sessions and "AIDS games". More then 100 people including 10 HIV positive workers attended the event.Ship visits also took place in Mumbai, India, and at seafarers' centres in Siracha, Thailand, and Veracruz, Mexico.In Spain, activists from the Federacion Servicios a la Ciudadania CCOO wrote articles and blogs on the union's website and other social networking platforms. They also worked collaboratively with a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual organisation to raise awareness through education and training to end discrimination and exclusion.Other activities as part of World AIDS Day included: a workshop with management to develop a workplace policy ...

The benchmark rate lays out the monthly payment for an AB on a vessel covered by an ITF TCC The ITF has set the benchmark rate - which lays out the monthly payment for an AB on a vessel covered by an ITF TCC (total crew cost) agreement - for the next three years.Currently USD1675 per month, the benchmark will increase 2% from 1st January 2012 to USD1709; then the following year by 2.5% to USD1752, then rise by 3% to USD 1805 in 2014.The decision was made by the ITF's fair practices steering group.ITF maritime coordinator Steve Cotton commented: "We feel that there is now enough economic progress in the industry to justify an increase. The benchmark applies not just to those under TCC agreements, but also stands as an example that is widely taken notice of throughout shipping, so we are glad to set out this progressive improvement in what seafarers earn."Source: ITF

The FAS will now join the 32 other countries on the list of FOCs The ITF has declared the Faroe Islands National & International Ship Register (FAS) a flag of convenience (FOC).The decision, taken by the ITF's fair practices committee steering group, follows a lengthy process of investigation and negotiations designed to address the problems identified with the register and avert the need for the declaration.Problems were first identified when Norlines, whose fleet was almost wholly Norwegian-flagged, reflagged to the FAS and began laying off Norwegian crew, who were replaced with Philippine and Polish nationals. Only two of the Norwegian beneficially owned vessels were fully manned by Faroese crew. A similar pattern was identified with Swedish-owned vessels. Eight Swedish companies were found to be flagging to FAS, with the replacement of their Swedish crews imminent.ITF maritime coordinator Steve Cotton commented: "This is a move we take reluctantly, and only after a lengthy search for a solution, in which we involved the Faroese Maritime Unions. However, it has proved unavoidable if the ITF's Mexico City Policy (which reviewed the ITF's whole FOC campaign) is to be applied fairly.""For the Faroese second register this is likely to mean a new age of ...

Funding for five different projects dealing with the welfare of seafarers The latest donations made to the charity arm of the ITF, the Seafarers' Trust, have been revealed bringing the total for 2011 to 9 million.The most recent round of donations amount to 6.5 million, which will be used to provide funding for five different projects dealing with the welfare of seafarers.A sum of 5 million has been allocated to Seafarers' Rights International (SRI) for a five-year programme for continuing work on advancing the legal rights of seafarers.Amongst other projects to gain funding is the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP), which was officially launched in London in September. MPHRP is set to receive 750,000 over three years as part of its 3.3 million programme to address the problems facing seafarers and their families affected by piracy.Tom Holmer, administrative officer of the Seafarers' Trust, said: "In spite of very difficult conditions within the maritime industry, the Trust sees the importance of supporting good projects for major expenditure when the opportunities are there to benefit seafarers."He added: "In response to our request for vehicle and communication-related applications early this year, we have a number of projects in the pipeline in these ...