ITF Docker's News.

ITF backs Kenyan port workers over attack on jobs

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9321

26 July 2013

The ITF is pledging support to port workers in Mombasa, Kenya, who are facing attacks on their jobs.

The union reports that the new transport cabinet secretary in the country, is intimidating members of ITF-affiliate, the Kenyan dockworkers’ union in spite of recent election promises to protect and create jobs in the ports sector, among others. The cabinet secretary is reported to have made a statement earlier this month threatening to sack port workers in Mombasa, despite there being no existing dispute between the employer, the Kenyan Ports Authority and the union.

The union considers the ‘provocative statement’ by the government of the Republic of Kenya, only elected in March, to be a betrayal of previously declared policy and electoral promises.

ITF regional secretary for the Africa region, Joe Katende said: “The Kenyan economy has been built and developed on the spirit of harmonious industrial relations, and this action goes totally against that.

He continued: “Mombasa port is not without it’s problems. Two years ago workers won the battle to halt privatisation via a 6000 strong strike and there are still thousands of workers on short term contracts over long periods of time. However, despite those issues the union and employer have been coexisting peacefully. We had been hopeful that this new regime, the first to be elected since changes in the Kenyan constitution, would be committed to decent labor standards and the creation of jobs. But if that is not the case, then the government must be ready to deal with opposition from the union with the backing of the ITF and it’s members.”

The ITF fair practices committee, the body which oversees the maritime FOC (flags of convenience) and POC (ports of convenience) campaigns, has passed an emergency motion committing to offering solidarity in defence of the Mombasa dock workers. It has called on the Kenyan government to withdraw the statement.

ITF welcomes Libyan unions

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9325

26 July 2013

The ITF welcomed two Libyan unions to the global union family last week, and celebrated Libyan workers’ success in building a new democracy in the country.

42 years of autocratic rule in Libya decimated its trade union culture. The government outlawed independent unions, and according to the International Trade Unions Congress (ITUC) annual survey of trade union rights*, as of 2012 there was still a lot of work to be done.

Thanks to the ITF Arab World office’s ongoing work in Libya, the General Union of Air Transport Workers and the General Union of Dockers & Seafarers formally became ITF’s newest affiliates last week.

Bilal Malkawi, ITF Arab world regional secretary, was delighted with the new additions. “With Libya undergoing political reconstruction, it’s reassuring to see that worker organising is playing a part in the new political landscape. We’re extremely pleased that our work in the region is having such an effect – and that the ITF now has an affiliate presence in Libya”.

* International Trade Union Confederation, 2012 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights - Libya, 6 June 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4fd8893d1b.html  [accessed 24 July 2013]