The Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine, supported by the Trade Union of Railwaymen and Transport Construction Workers of Ukraine, submitted an important motion to the 46th Congress of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) in Marrakech.
The MTWTU proudly represented Ukrainian transport workers at this event, acknowledging their crucial role in sustaining global supply chains under extraordinarily challenging conditions.
Why is this important?
Ukrainian transport infrastructure workers risk their lives every day to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of global trade and the economy — specifically, by transporting grain to prevent hunger and keep supporting humanitarian programs worldwide. Through this motion, we not only recognize the bravery of Ukrainian transport workers but also call for strategic international support to protect their rights and acknowledge their contributions.
Key Aspects:
- Global Recognition. The motion highlights the vital role of Ukrainian transport workers in global trade and in fulfilling economic needs on both national and international levels.
- Call to Action. The Unions urge the ITF to increase support by sending ITF and affiliate union missions to Ukraine to assess the situation, develop professional training programs, involve international organizations to support Ukrainian transport workers, and ensure continuous assistance through the ITF-ETF Solidarity Fund.
- Worker Protection Demands. The resolution calls on the ITF to appeal to the Ukrainian government to recognize seafarers and railwaymen as "key workers", guaranteeing them the rights, additional protection, and fair working conditions that each of them deserves.
The motion was publicly supported by the Swedish trade unions Unionen and SEKO, the Seafarers' Union of Croatia and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, whose leaders also took the floor to express solidarity with Ukrainian transport workers.
The presented resolution is significant not only for Ukrainian transport workers but for each of us. Ukrainian seafarers, port, and railway workers are essential personnel whose resilience ensures our basic needs and vital resources. By standing up for their rights and honouring their courage, we support the foundations of global trade and show that resilience, even in the darkest times, deserves recognition. Let's move the world forward together, no matter how difficult the road ahead may be!
