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Tuesday, October 31, 2017
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Friday, October 27, 2017
Press release: ITF applauds ‘historic breakthrough’ on Qatar kafala
Please find this release attached and below.
Yours,
Sam Dawson
ITF
27 October 2017
ITF applauds 'historic breakthrough' on Qatar kafala
The ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) has backed what it describes as "a historic breakthrough" on eliminating Qatar's kafala system, which has allowed the exploitation of migrant workers in the Gulf state.
Following years of international campaigning against kafala – a form of indentured labour that in practice has equated to often slavelike treatment of workers – the Qatari government has now gone on record as stating that it will finally be terminated.
ITF general secretary Steve Cotton commented: "Qatar has made this pledge to the global union federations and to our colleagues in the ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation), who have led the international effort to remove this system. If that promise is made good then this is a genuinely historic breakthrough."
"For the ITF this means a potential sea change for transport workers, in aviation, in ports, and in public transport. We will now work within this agreement to build protection for them as workers, with good, sustainable jobs, recognising international standards and best practice."
ITF president Paddy Crumlin stated: "The existence of the kafala system, and the maltreatment of workers that it permitted has been an international scandal, and we applaud everyone – union, worker, NGO and journalist – who has exposed and fought against it. This promise is great news, which allies well with our own talks with the Qatari government on improving conditions for workers in the country."
The ITUC has explained that the Qatari government has committed to steps that include:
- Employment contracts will be lodged with a government authority to prevent contract substitution, ending the practice of workers arriving in the country only to have their contract torn up and replaced with a different job, often on a lower wage.
- Employers will no longer be able to stop their employees from leaving the country.
- A minimum wage will be prescribed as a base rate covering all workers, ending the race-based system of wages.
- Identification papers will be issued directly by the State of Qatar, and workers will no longer rely on their employer to provide their ID card without which workers can be denied medical treatment.
- Workers' committees will be established in each workplace, with workers electing their own representatives.
- A special disputes resolution committee with a timeframe for dealing with grievances will be a centerpiece for ensuring rapid remedy of complaints.
ITUC general secretary Sharan Burrow commented: "The new guidance from Qatar signals the start of real reforms which will bring to an end the use of modern slavery and puts the country on the pathway to meeting its international legal obligations on workers' rights. Following discussions in Doha there is a clear government commitment to normalise industrial protections for migrant workers"
She concluded: "These initiatives have the support of the ITUC, and we hope that implementation will be also supported by the ILO with its technical expertise. Much remains to be done, but these steps open the way for workers to be treated with dignity and for their lives and livelihoods to be protected.
ENDS
This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person. Any views or opinions expressed within the email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of the ITF or the Seafarers' Trust.
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Press release: SIU of Canada Advocates for Labour Law Enforcement During Strike Against Algoma Tankers Limited
Please find this press release from our member union SIU Canada, the Seafarers' International Union of Canada, attached and below, for your interest.
Yours,
Sam Dawson
ITF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SIU of Canada Advocates for Labour Law Enforcement During Strike Against Algoma Tankers Limited
Algoma Tankers use foreign ships & crew while Canadian officers on strike
October 24, 2017 - Montreal, QC- The Seafarers' International Union of Canada (SIU) learned that Canadian officers commenced legal strike actions against Algoma Tankers Limited on Saturday.
Algoma Tankers Limited currently has two foreign tankers carrying cargo in Canadian waters, both are being crewed by foreign workers. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program rules – enforced federally by Employment and Social Development Canada – are clear: foreign workers cannot be used to replace striking Canadian workers.
The officers on strike are represented by the Canadian Merchant Services Guild. As a result of this strike, SIU crews working aboard the vessels have been laid off; however, this is standard procedure due to collective agreements impacting the SIU members onboard the vessels.
The SIU believe that the right to strike is entrenched in Canadian labour laws, and Temporary Foreign Worker Program rules must be enforced by the Federal Government.
The SIU will stand up for all seafarers in this situation. We strongly encourage these foreign flag vessels to leave Canadian waters immediately, and we call upon the Government of Canada to address this issue.
President James Given of the SIU of Canada stated "Although the SIU is not on strike we are always prepared to mobilize our members to defend Canada's cabotage and labour laws to protect Canadian seafarers."
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About the SIU of Canada: The Seafarers' International Union of Canada (SIU) is affiliated with the Seafarers' International Union of North America serving unlicensed sailors since 1938. The most important sailors' union in Canada, the SIU represents the majority of unlicensed sailors working aboard vessels on the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, on the East and West Coasts. In addition to vessels operated in Canadian waters, SIU members also have the opportunity to work aboard vessels delivering cargoes in the United States, Europe and South America.
This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person. Any views or opinions expressed within the email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of the ITF or the Seafarers' Trust.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Media release: UAE and ITF to work together to solve abandonment cases
20 October 2017
UAE and ITF to work together to solve abandonment cases
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Federal Transport Authority (FTA) and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) have agreed to work together to tackle abandonment cases in UAE waters.
FTA and ITF officials met this week to discuss the increasing number of abandonment cases faced by the UAE and the Gulf State's desire to bring an end to the problem.
Both parties agreed to develop a protocol to govern a closer working relationship, including increased cooperation and information exchange.
The FTA officials announced that they would push for the UAE to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, and the ITF committed to provide advice, training and expertise to assist with this.
David Heindel, chair of the ITF seafarers' section, said: "I'm heartened that the FTA is taking this issue seriously. The scourge of shipowners who think that they can dump their ships and leave their crews without pay and essential supplies must be brought to an end. It is good to know that the FTA is taking the initiative and have already banned the vessels of one shipowner who repeatedly abused seafarers' rights. This is setting a good example to other states in the region and I hope they will follow suit."
ENDS
Andy Khan-Gordon
Campaigns Communicator
The International Transport Workers' Federation
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7940 9282 | Mob: +44 (0) 7711 356 964
This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person. Any views or opinions expressed within the email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of the ITF or the Seafarers' Trust.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Press release: African unions demand Madagascar act on Malagasy 43 as ITF tells ICTSI to back up statements with actions
Please find this press release attached and below.
Yours,
Sam Dawson
ITF
17 October 2017
African unions demand Madagascar act on Malagasy 43 as ITF tells ICTSI to back up statements with actions
The Madagascan Government will be the target of a protest at 08:30 tomorrow (18 October) at the African Ports Evolution conference in Durban, South Africa. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and its affiliate the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU), will demand that the government immediately take all necessary steps to reinstate 43 dock workers sacked at the ICTSI-operated Port of Toamasina.
Ahead of tomorrow's protest, Edga Mbina Mbina, SATAWU Provincial Secretary said: "South African unions stand shoulder to shoulder with these Madagascan dock workers. The Madagascan Government must ensure that they are reinstated, and that their right to join a union to fight for decent work is recognised and respected. Democratic countries respect workers' rights – this is not what we are seeing in Madagascar."
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) President, Paddy Crumlin, said that the Madagascan Government's refusal to enforce a court order recognising these workers' right to organise – and failure to observe the basic human rights for their own citizens – is damaging Madagascar's image not only across the region but around the world.
"The ITF stands in solidarity with COSATU and SATAWU with a clear message for the Madagascan government – the Malagasy 43 must go back to work.
"The Madagascan Government can solve this problem right now by showing real leadership and stopping this exploitation. The government should enforce its own labour laws and abide by international labour conventions. They must reinstate the Malagassy 43 immediately and allow SYGMMA to organise for all workers at the Port of Toamasina."
The Malagasy 43 were employed by labour-hire company SMMC when fired in 2012 following legitimate union activity. None of the workers have been reinstated, and the workers' union SYGMMA has not been recognised by SMMC.
The protest in Durban forms part of global week of lawful actions by ITF affiliates within ICTSI's global terminals and shipping routes, in a renewed international push against the emerging pattern of labour violations across ICTSI's global network.
ICTSI's Senior Vice President, Christian Gonzalez claimed this week that 'ICTSI remains committed to the safety and welfare of our equipment operators' and it's time the company back up statements with actions.
"In outsourcing work to labour-hire companies, ICTSI believes it can avoid proper scrutiny and criticism for the wages and conditions of casual workers at its terminals. But everyone knows that ICTSI carries the ultimate responsibility for the working conditions of all workers at its terminals.
"These workers in Madagascar deserve the right to be recognised as the bona fide workforce by ICTSI. All workers employed in stevedoring activities need to be treated as direct employees. It's time ICTSI stopped taking shortcuts on these workers' lives, on their families' lives," said Crumlin.
The ITF is attending the Ports Evolution conference to present its latest report – ICTSI's global expansion: a risky proposition? – on the emerging pattern of labour violations across ICTSI terminals.
Background
Madagascar is currently a member of the South African Development Community (SADC). In 2009, Madagascar was suspended from the SADC. This suspension was lifted in 2014, recognising the steps taken by the Government of Madagascar to return the country to democracy. The failure to reinstate the Malagasy 43, despite court orders recognising the union's right to organise at the port, indicates that there is still more work to do to ensure respect for the rule of law and for the rights of workers and all citizens.
For more information, please contact:
Luke Menzies, ITF Asia Pacific Campaign Centre | T: +61 433 889 844 | E: mediasydney@itf.org.uk
This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person. Any views or opinions expressed within the email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of the ITF or the Seafarers' Trust.
Monday, October 9, 2017
Press release: ITF committed to ensuring ICTSI does not extend its emerging patterns of labour violations/L’ITF déterminé à faire en sorte qu’ICTSI ne répète pas ses infractions sur le travail
Please find this release attached in English and French, along with the report referred to.
Yours,
Sam Dawson
ITF
9 October 2017
ITF committed to ensuring ICTSI does not extend its emerging patterns of labour violations
Analysis carried out by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) released today has found an emerging pattern of labour rights violations throughout one of the world's fastest growing stevedoring companies: International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).
The report, launched today by ITF President Paddy Crumlin, shows that labour issues at ICTSI terminals are not limited to current disputes at ICTSI terminal in Madagascar and Indonesia. Severe labour violations can be found throughout ICTSI's global network.
The ITF will now focus on ports in which ICTSI seeks to expand, including the multi-purpose terminal in Kribi, Cameroon, a new port in Guinea-Bissau, the Motuka Port in Port Moresby and the Port of Lae in Papua New Guinea.
The ITF's President Paddy Crumlin said today, "Patterns are emerging on ICTSI's docks. A pattern of paying poverty wages. A pattern of failing to respect workers' right to freedom of association. A pattern of poor safety standards endangering workers' lives. A pattern of illegally out-sourcing jobs to labour-hire companies.
"ICTSI has grown ambitiously over the last decade, yet as this report shows, their growth has not been accompanied by sufficient managerial oversight and appropriate global governance to ensure productive industrial relations, compliance with local laws, and international labour conventions."
In response to this damning report, ITF affiliates within ICTSI's global terminals and shipping routes, are taking part in lawful actions worldwide in a renewed international push against injustice.
"Today we have a clear message for ICTSI: end the disputes at the Port of Jakarta and the Port of Toamasina in Madagascar. Reverse the emerging pattern of labour rights violations throughout your network. And treat your workers with the dignity and respect that all workers deserve.
"The ITF, and our union affiliates, are committed to supporting port operators who provide good jobs and industrial relations practices in their ports. Together we are committed to ensuring that ICTSI does not extend its pattern of labour violations into new terminals," added Crumlin.
Governments, investors and financiers that seek to partner with ICTSI should be concerned about this emerging pattern of violations, which indicate that as the company has grown to become a global ports player, it has not put in place sufficient oversight measures to ensure compliance with global norms and standards across their whole network. ICTSI's governance failures suggest that the company's future expansion may be accompanied by increasing volatility and risk due to protracted industrial disputes and safety failures.
Background
International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) is a Philippine-based container terminal operator, which operates 29 container terminals globally. Since 1994, it has engaged in an ambitious international and domestic expansion program.
Growth has been targeted in ports that are privatised from government control, with a focus on emerging markets. ICTSI has identified Africa as the target region for future expansion.
ICTSI is currently short-listed for the Port of Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, and is lobbying the Cameroonian government to join the consortium that will operate and manage the multi-purpose terminal in Kribi, Cameroon. In September 2017, ICTSI signed an agreement to operate the Lae and Motuka ports in Papua New Guinea.
For more information, please contact:
Luke Menzies, ITF Asia Pacific Campaign Centre, Sydney, Australia.
T: +61 433 889 844 | E: mediasydney@itf.org.uk
9 octobre 2017
L'ITF déterminé à faire en sorte qu'ICTSI ne répète pas ses infractions sur le travail
L'analyse menée par la fédération internationale des ouvriers du transport (ITF) et publiée aujourd'hui indique que la compagnie de manutention portuaire connaissant la croissance la plus rapide au monde, International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), commet de nombreuses violations des droits du travail.
Le rapport, publié aujourd'hui par le président d'ITF, Paddy Crumlin, montre que les problèmes liés au travail dans les terminaux d'ICTSI ne se limitent pas aux disputes actuelles dans les terminaux de Madagascar et d'Indonésie. De graves infractions se produisent sur l'ensemble du réseau d'ICTSI.
L'ITF se concentre maintenant sur les zones dans lesquelles ICTSI a l'intention de s'élargir, telles que le terminal de Kribi, au Cameroun, le nouveau port de Guinée Bissau, le port de Motuka à Port Moresby, et le port de Lae, en Papouasie Nouvelle Guinée.
Le président d'ITF, Paddy Crumlin, a déclaré aujourd'hui qu' « une nouvelle tendance est en train d'apparaître sur les quais d'ICTSI. Une tendance de sous paiement. Une tendance à ne pas respecter le droit d'association des travailleurs. Une tendance où les normes de sécurité insuffisantes compromettent la vie des travailleurs. Une tendance à externaliser les emplois à l'aide d'entreprises de sous traitance. »
« ICTSI s'est élargi de manière ambitieuse ces dix dernières années, et pourtant, comme l'indique ce rapport, cette expansion ne s'est pas accompagnée d'un contrôle administratif et d'une gouvernance mondiale suffisants pour garantir des relations sociales productives, ou le respect des législations locales et des conventions internationales du travail. »
En réponse à ce rapport accablant, les affiliés d'ITF au sein des terminaux d'ICTSI prennent part, partout dans le monde, à des actions judiciaires relançant la mobilisation internationale contre l'injustice.
« Le message que nous avons aujourd'hui pour ICTSI est clair : il faut metter fin aux disputes dans le port de Jakarta et dans le port de Toamasina à Madagascar. Il faut renverser cette tendance d'infractions aux droits du travail sur l'ensemble du réseau. Et il faut traiter les travailleurs avec la dignité et le respect qui leur est du.
« L'ITF et nos syndicats affiliés nous engageons à soutenir les opérateurs portuaires qui offrent des emplois de qualité et de bonnes pratiques en matière de relations industrielles dans leurs ports. Ensemble, nous nous engageons à assurer que l'entreprise ICTSI ne répande pas ses pratiques de violations du travail dans les nouveaux terminaux » a ajouté Crumlin.
Les gouvernements et investisseurs qui veulent s'associer à ICTSI devraient s'inquiéter de cette tendance aux infractions, qui indique que la compagnie, qui est maintenant un acteur portuaire mondial, n'a pas prise de mesures administratives suffisantes pour garantir le respect des normes mondiales et des normes sur leur propre réseau. Le manque d'un système de contrôle suggère que l'élargissement futur de la compagnie risque de s'accompagner d'une augmentation des risques et de la volatilité liés à ces disputes sociales prolongées et aux manquements à la sécurité.
Contexte
L'entreprise International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) est un opérateur de terminaux philippin qui opère 29 terminaux à conteneurs à travers le monde. L'entreprise s'est lancée depuis 1994 dans un programme d'expansion internationale et intérieure ambitieux.
L'expansion cible des ports qui ne sont pas soumis à un contrôle gouvernemental, et se concentre sur les marchés émergents. ICTSI a identifié l'Afrique comme région cible de son expansion.
ICTSI est actuellement retenu pour le port de Bissau, en Guinée Bissau, et exerce actuellement des pressions sur le gouvernement du Cameroun pour s'associer au consortium qui va opérer et gérer le terminal à usages multiples de Kribi, au Cameroun. En septembre 2017, ICTSI a signé un accord pour opérer les ports de Lae et Motuka, en Papouasie Nouvelle Guinée.
Pour plus d'informations, veuillez contacter:
Luke Menzies, ITF Asia Pacific Campaign Centre, Sydney, Australia.
Tel: +61 433 889 844 | Email: mediasydney@itf.org.uk
This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person. Any views or opinions expressed within the email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of the ITF or the Seafarers' Trust.
Monday, October 2, 2017
Press release: Rightwing anti-immigration group dumps ship’s crew
Please find this release attached and below.
Yours,
Sam Dawson
ITF
2 October 2017
Rightwing anti-immigration group dumps ship's crew
The ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) is assisting the crew of the vessel C Star, who have been abandoned unpaid in Barcelona by its charterers, the rightwing youth group Defend Europe. The ship was at the centre of the group's comic opera efforts to block vessels rescuing refugees and migrants from sinking boats in the Mediterranean.
ITF seafarers' section chair David Heindel commented: "Oh, the irony. This group charters a British-owned, Mongolian flag of convenience ship, with a Sri Lankan crew to protest migration into Europe. Then abandons the crew in Europe.
"This so-called mission began as a farce, played out as a farce, and now it's ended as a farce. Famously, the C Star was spurned at almost every stop it tried to make by local citizens and governments. Crew members have claimed asylum, and the ship has reportedly both been investigated on suspicion of people smuggling and had to call for help from one of the NGO search and rescue vessels it was supposedly blocking."
He concluded. "This vessel has been like a clown car on water: overcrowded, comical, and, just like the 'mission' it was on, the doors quickly fell off. Sadly, it's no surprise that the overgrown schoolboys behind it all have now abandoned the crew and left them to be looked after by the organisations they aimed to castigate, the Red Cross, the Spanish Coast Guard and the local maritime authorities."
There are currently eight crew on the ship, which has been moored at sea off Barcelona since 26 September. The ITF is working with local port state control to provide the crew with food, water and fuel. As the local ITF inspector states, "The crew are not alone". He confirms that a decision has been made today by port state control that the ship will be allowed to berth for humanitarian reasons.
No word has yet been received from the ship's owner.
ENDS
This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person. Any views or opinions expressed within the email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of the ITF or the Seafarers' Trust.
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