This was the first time voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT) sessions were organised during the annual seminars in India, Indonesia, Jamaica and the Philippines run by the NSU (Norwegian Seafarers’ Union), AMOSUP (The Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines), FIT-
Before they graduate and go on board ship, all cadets will now have an extensive, week-long course on preventing HIV and other STIs, as well as their rights, should they become positive.
As part of its aims, the new ITF Americas Regional Offshore Oil and Gas Task Force Group will campaign to retain and secure national cabotage and continental shelf jurisdiction in the offshore oil and gas sector. Enrique Lozano from the Mexican Maritime Union (Orden de Capitanes y Pilotos N
ITF Africa regional secretary Joseph Katende congratulated prime minister Yacouba Isaac Zida and minister for infrastructure and transport Daouda Traoré on the government’s decision to cancel the privatisation of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso international airports.
Cotton told the delegates that “as Myanmar undergoes a transition towards a more democratic form of government, independent labour unions will be crucial in building a new Myanmar”.
Since 2014, thousands of people have been attempting the dangerous sea crossing to Europe, from Africa and the Middle East, in overcrowded boats not fit for purpose, with over 3,500 people having already lost their lives. Many are at the mercy of people smugglers.
That was the opening line from ITF Asia Pacific regional secretary Mahendra Sharma as training on a new dockers’ organising, bargaining and negotiating tool kicked off in Indonesia last week.
In the presence of IFOMS union activists, a large international union delegation, Tin Mar Htwe, deputy director general of the Myanmar labour department, and Toe Myint, director of the seafarers division of the ministry of transport, Cotton warmly congratulated the delegates and the newly elected
Thirty women leaders from 27 countries, members of the international ITF committee that represents women transport workers all over the globe, discussed gender approaches to key ITF campaigns on raising standards for all employees at DHL, workers’ rights at Qatar Airways, organising informal work
