The ITF and the ITF Seafarers’ Trust are in Odesa, seeing the conditions faced by the workers keeping Ukraine and the world moving forward.
It is now more than four years since the deadliest war seen in Europe since World War II began – and through that time, in the face of lethal attacks, unending fear, trauma and risks to their lives, Ukraine’s maritime workers have held firm, keeping trade moving.
This week, Stephen Cotton, General Secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), and Katie Higginbottam, Head of ITF Seafarers’ Trust, visited the country to learn more about what Ukraine’s maritime workers are facing – and to join discussions focused on ensuring that the country’s post-war recovery puts opportunities for the country’s renowned maritime workforce front and centre.
“In the midst of war, it is very difficult to simultaneously provide support, ensure safety and keep operations going – but Ukrainian seafarers and dockers are doing everything they can to keep the sector functioning and to ensure Ukraine maintains its role in global trade,” said ITF General Secretary, Stephen Cotton.
“Our support cannot be limited to just words: we must think strategically – what can help the Ukrainian maritime sector right now, and what needs to be done to ensure it is ready for peace?
“This country has significant maritime potential, highly skilled professionals and an important place in global shipping – when peace comes, great opportunities will open up for Ukraine, and Ukrainian seafarers will have a chance to make an even stronger mark on the global labour market.
The visit was bookended by the Congress of ITF affiliate, the 80,000-strong Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine (MTWTU): marked by the election of Oleg Grygoriuk, who will now serve a second, consecutive five-year term as Chairman of the federation.
Grygoriuk said: “Serving as Chairman of MTWTU is a huge honour, and I’m delighted that MTWTU’s members have again chosen me to lead this great federation for the next five years.
“Throughout the long period of war that my country has endured, all Ukrainians have taken strength and great pride in seeing the unwavering commitment and dedication of our maritime workers – they are the backbone of Ukraine’s civilian workforce, and they will be at the heart of our post-war recovery, ensuring Ukraine realises its huge potential.”
As part of the visit, Cotton and Higginbottam travelled to HHLA subsidiary Container Terminal Odesa (CTO), in Odesa port, to see first-hand the conditions port workers endure as they work in the midst of war. Ukraine's port terminals have been repeatedly targeted by Russian attacks, yet its dockers continue to handle cargo every single day, taking cover in air raid shelters, before return to cargo-handling under immense risk to their lives.
Oleksandr Shuturmynskyi, Chairman of the MTWTU's Local Trade Union Organisation, Unity, at CTO, told the delegation about the terminal's operations under martial law, while they also met port workers and discussed the daily challenges they face. Particular attention was paid to worker protection, the availability of shelters, and work in the terminal's most high-risk areas, especially on the port’s cranes.
Alongside representatives from the Odesa Regional State Administration, the ILO Office in Ukraine and maritime employers, the ITF and the ITF Seafarers’ Trust joined ajoined a strategic roundtable discussion hosted by MTWTU – “Ukrainian Transport Workers: International Solidarity, Labour Rights and Post-War Recovery”.
The discussion addressed issue ranging from ratifying international labour standards as a part of Ukraine’s deepening European integration, MTWTU’s work on securing national ratification of international maritime conventions, and humanitarian and social projects the ITF Seafarers’ Trust has implemented during the war.
“The ITF will continue to stand by your side,” said Cotton. “We will help develop these areas, support you at the international level, facilitate the search for solutions and do everything possible to ensure that Ukrainian seafarers and port workers have protection, recognition and the future they deserve”.