The ITF HQ’s in London
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) general secretary Stephen Cotton, and a delegation of ITF unions, is at a regional meeting in Manila, the Philippines, of Asia’s leading seafaring nations that has agreed the first ‘Manila statement on the fair treatment of seafarers’. See below for background.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Cotton said: “The ITF, representing over twenty million transport workers, is totally committed to working with the people here today to ensure that this statement is a success, and results in better working conditions for all seafarers.
“We commend everyone involved in working towards producing this statement, particularly Seafarers’ Rights International, the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment, all the contributing national governments, the shipowners’ and seafarers’ unions.
“Now the hard work begins, we must create an implementation plan to roll out the statement to ensure that every seafarer feels the benefits of what has been agreed here today; that they receive fair treatment.
“Finally, I want to congratulate the Asian countries for leading the fight for the fair treatment of seafarers. Other regions should follow suit and the ITF is ready to work with them.”
