ITF President Paddy Crumlin said unions believe a fatal accident could be imminent at the VICT Terminal in Melbourne, with a number of serious safety-related incidents reported by the workforce recently.
“It is a big step to declare a Port of Convenience but VICT continues to ignore the entirely justified concerns of its workforce over their safety and shift arrangements,” said Crumlin, who is also the MUA National Secretary.
ITF affiliate the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has been campaigning against Philippine-based multinational port operator ICTSI over the significant undercutting of rates, conditions and industry standards on the Australian waterfront, the shifting of automated port jobs to the Philippines and poor safety standards at the VICT terminal.
VICT is also currently facing legal action over the unlawful sacking of a union delegate and paying wages that undercut the legal minimum wages under the industry award.
“All maritime affiliates are now considering what lawful action may be required to give effect to the PoC campaign,” added Crumlin.
The ITF has uncovered serious exploitation across ICTSI's global terminals with the company fast becoming one of the most controversial in the maritime industry.
“Globally, ICTSI’s workers are underpaid and overworked, harassed and coerced, and union members often face intimidation in retaliation for raising workplace issues,” Crumlin said.
“ICTSI has tried to bring its anti-worker business model, that they have run out all over the world, to Australia and we won’t tolerate it.”
MUA Deputy National Secretary Will Tracey said two workers at the VICT terminal were recently hospitalised with the entire workforce now fearing more serious accidents following the recent introduction of dramatically increased working hours.
“This workplace is unsafe, and threatens the standards that unionists over generations have built up. The transferring of automated jobs offshore is something the MUA will fight with all our resources and all the resources of the Australian trade union movement,” Tracey said.
“The MUA thanks the ITF and our brothers and sisters in the international trade union movement for their support in taking this step and declaring VICT a Port of Convenience.”
“Hopefully, this step can ramp up pressure on the company to intervene immediately before a worker is killed or seriously injured."
ENDS
ICTSI’s Australian terminal declared Port of Convenience at ITF Congress
ニュース
記者発表資料
現場の声
ニュース
南米大陸横断回廊のトラック運転手を保護するILO勧告
南米大陸横断回廊の道路運送を持続可能にする画期的な勧告を ILO が発表 この ILO 勧告 は南米大陸横断回廊を走行するトラック運転手の労働条件・安全衛生向上のための具体的な計画を示したもので、南米の ITF 加盟組合、使用者団体、各国政府の合意の成果である。 チリ、ボリビア、アルゼンチン、パラグアイ、ブラジルを横断するこの回廊は、輸送コストの削減と雇用機会の拡大を通じて
ニュース
ITFの女性が世界を動かす!
ジェンダー平等が約束ではなく、実践される世界を築く 2024 年 10 月の大会での選出以降、初の女性委員会が今週2日間にわたり開催され、活発な議論と意見交換を経て、向こう5年間の優先事項が確認された。 連帯と女性のリーダーシップというテーマがすべての議論に貫かれ、女性交通運輸労働者のために成果を実現し、強力で平等な組合を構築する活動計画の基礎が固められた。 ジェンダーに起因する賃金格差
ニュース
PPEを要求した運転手100人 以上がセネガルで解雇
The ITF has written to Foreign Minister of Senegal Yassine Fall requesting urgent intervention in the shocking and illegal dismissal of 103 road transport drivers.