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ITF issues statements (8/15)

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has issued the following two statements. Updates may be available on the federation’s web site: www.itfglobal.org Calls from Georgian and Russian unions for end to war The ITF has been in regular contact with its affiliated unions in the conflict zone and beyond. Both our Russian and Georgian colleagues tell a similar tale – of hardship, horror and gross violence – though, not surprisingly, they differ on who is to blame. What is not in doubt is the suffering being endured by ordinary men, women and children. What brings together the ITF and its unions in the area is a desire that this suffering ends immediately. It remains blindingly obvious that what is needed now is not more aggression but an end to hostilities and the launching of an urgent humanitarian effort. We join with our colleagues in the International Trade Union Confederation in calling for a complete ceasefire, intense diplomatic efforts, and the offer of aid to the affected areas. We remind all those who support this call that a mechanism for sending help has been set up, and donations can be made via the ITUC-CSI account n° 375-1008200-61 with the Bank ING, Business Branch Institutionals, Rue du Trône 14-16, B-1000 Brussels (IBAN code: BE62375100820061 - BIC/Swift Code: BBRUBEBB). David Cockroft General Secretary ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) ITF on war zones: Question mark remains over Georgia decision Responding to the Joint Negotiating Group’s rejection of the proposal to declare Georgian coastal waters a warlike operations area, ITF General Secretary David Cockroft said: “It’s an understandable decision, given the declaration of a ceasefire and the hope we all feel that this conflict will end – but that doesn’t mean that it’s the right one. The situation in Georgia is dangerous and unstable. Unless it clearly and quickly improves we will have to challenge the decision’s validity.” He continued: “This issue and the sheer number of conflict zones have thrown a spotlight on how we determine these areas. The current Lloyds Risk war zone list for non-IBF agreement ships is out of date and rarely enforced, and we intend to initiate a dialogue with the wider shipping industry about the whole question of war risk - which clearly should apply to all ships, whichever agreement they are covered by.” ###