New Federation ITEF Formed in Chennai to Protect Seafarers’ Rights
A new body called the International Transport Employees Federation (ITEF) has been formed in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu and one of India’s main port cities on the Bay of Bengal coast. Its aim is to bring seafarers’ welfare groups and trade unions together on one common platform.
The federation was set up at a meeting attended in person and online by representatives of seafarers’ unions, transport workers’ unions, seafarers’ welfare organisations and maritime charitable institutions from different parts of India, according to a report published on 31 October.
ITEF says it will work to protect the rights, safety, welfare and dignity of Indian and international seafarers as well as transport workers. Its stated priorities include support for distressed and abandoned seafarers, follow-up on unpaid-wage complaints, fair employment practices, better welfare facilities and easier access to legal help. It also plans to raise awareness and push for proper implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) and other maritime labour and safety standards.
The federation has invited welfare bodies and unions at major and minor ports to join. It also hopes to work with DG Shipping, port authorities, Port State Control, State Maritime Boards, terminal operators, shipowners, maritime law firms and international welfare organisations. Its founders describe the goal as “a safer, fairer and more humane maritime industry.”
The names of office bearers and member unions have not yet been announced.
India is one of the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers, and cases of abandonment and unpaid wages continue to be reported. If the federation builds real cooperation between unions, welfare groups and authorities, seafarers in difficulty could gain another channel for quick help and follow-up of their complaints.
