The ITF HQ’s in London
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) will sign an important agreement at its 44th Congress in Singapore to research the future of work in every transport sector, and suggest interventions to help workers improve their skills to compete for high-value jobs.
Dave Heindel, chair of the ITF seafarers’ section and member of the ITF executive board, and Steve Tan Peng Hoe, director of the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi), will sign the agreement. The OTCi is the training arm of the Singapore National Trades Union Congress.
As part of the deal the OTCi will also provide training to help participants better appreciate the forces of disruption affecting transport work in the future.
ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton said: “This is a unique agreement for the ITF because transport workers are facing unique challenges as the industry changes beyond all recognition. We must ensure that the future of work in transport is good jobs with good conditions for all. But at the same time transport workers must be ready for the huge changes that are coming in their sector, and this means their unions must be prepared and ready to shape that change. This work by the OTCi will help us to do this.
“This Congress is all about transport workers building power through innovative campaigns, growing membership and influencing policy. By uniting our efforts, we can ensure that the future of work provides good opportunities for all transport workers.”
Mary Liew, chairperson of the ITF Singapore national coordinating committee (SNCC) and general secretary of the Singapore Maritime Officers Union (SMOU), said: “It’s no coincidence that this Congress is being held in Singapore as it focuses on the future of work in transport. We have shown here that by building partnerships across society and the economy we can create decent, sustainable jobs now and for the future.”
This is the first time the ITF Congress, 14-20 October 2018, will be held in Southeast Asia in its 122-year history.
The ITF-OTCi agreement will be unveiled at the opening ceremony. Members of the media are invited to attend the opening ceremony and evening reception on Sunday, 14 October. If you wish to attend, you must register by 10 October 2018 via the link: http://www.cvent.com/d/xbqmrw/
