They strongly welcomed the ILC’s conclusion, in response to union pressure, that the International Labour Organization (ILO) arrange a tripartite meeting to identify what needs to be done to promote decent work in global supply chains.
Last year the New York Times began publishing The Outlaw Ocean, an ongoing investigation into what happens far from land. It revealed exploitation, crime, slavery and violence, and lifted the lid on a sometimes fatal lack of accountability at sea.
The ITF, in co-ordination with the ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation), is urging member unions to organise solidarity actions from now until 1 July, ahead of the sentencing on 4 July of Han Sang-gyun, president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).
The campaign theme – At sea for all – recognises that seafarers are indispensable and invites people everywhere to ‘show their appreciation for the seafarers that quietly, mostly unnoticed, keep the wheels of the world in motion’.
Captain Mangouras’ sentence – for ‘recklessness resulting in catastrophic environmental damage’ – overturns the previous judgement by the provincial court of La Coruña (Galicia), which had cleared him of any responsibility for the Prestige disaster in 2002.
“Right now our thoughts are with his family and friends, but I know there is nothing I can say to relieve the tragedy that has befallen them.
ITF seafarers’ section secretary Jon Whitlow addressed the meeting’s audience of TTIP negotiators.
ITF seafarers section chair Dave Heindel stated: “The investigative work of the union has forced an admission from the Canadian government that at least 11 work permits have been illegally issued – and this may be just the tip of the iceberg.
Seafarers section secretary Jon Whitlow told them that: “Trade agreements should be an opportunity to improve workers’ rights and have as a primary objective the facilitation of full employment and decent working conditions for the workers of the contracting parties.
Joe Katende, the retiring ITF Africa regional secretary, marked the ITF’s participation in the annual trade union festival by laying a wreath at the grave of James Hammond, one of the martyrs, in the village churchyard.
