22 October 2007

Change low graphic options | Change language | Skip content to navigation

Page context: International Road Transport Action Week 2007 > 22 October 2007

India
The Transport & Dock Workers' Union organised a series of activities for the Action Week focusing on two ports in Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. The union's events culminated on 19 October with a mass demonstration of 500 port workers and drivers in front of the Administration Office of the Mumbai Port Trust. Union activists demanded access to canteen facilities without discrimination. As a result of the week-long programme, 140 workers joined the union. Furthermore, the union won the reinstatement of five dismissed workers at Gateway Terminals India Pvt Ltd during the week. The company is a subsidiary of the global operator, Maersk. ITF's Maersk Network assisted the dispute. In the run-up to the Action Week, the union created two core action committees comprising organisers, educators and activists to prepare events. On 15 October, meetings were held at call stands for port drivers and union information in the local language was widely distributed. The campaign posters were displayed at more than 50 different points. On 16 October, banners were displayed at traffic islands and arterial roads leading to the ports. On 18 October, a gate meeting was held at Gateway Terminals India Pvt Ltd. (Email report by PK Raman)

Pakistan
On 20 October, the Pakistan Transport Workers' Federation organised a large rally in Lahore. The union highlighted their demands for fixed duty hours and adequate facilities for transport workers, as well as vocational training on safety and social security benefits such as provision of pensions. Participants to the rally also demanded the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo. The union has sent an appeal to the President of Iran through the Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan but has so far received no response. (Email report by Haji Muhammad Saeed)

View more photos of activities in Pakistan >>

Russia
During the Action Week, members of the Motor Transport & Road Workers' Union of Russia displayed the campaign posters on vehicles and at road transport company premises. Excessive waiting time and inadequate facilities at border points, low wages and old rolling stock are some of the key issues that the road transport workers and their union face today. Activists from the union held meetings with management representatives to discuss these issues and to demand solutions at national and regional government level. To follow-up the meetings, both parties will send letters to the authorities on these questions. The union newspaper will report on activities for the Action Week. (Email report by Vladimir Lomakin)

Zambia
The National Union of Transport and Allied Workers (NUTAW) organised two rallies on 19 October. In Lusaka, representatives from the Bus and Taxi Workers' Union and the Meat and Grain Union participated in the event, together with a representative from the Ministry of Transport and Communication for the first time. The second rally was held at Bwana Mkubwa in the Copperbelt Province. It is a central location for fuel tankers. (Email report by Sam A.P. Phiri)

View more photos of activities in Zambia >>

Section home:
International Road Transport Action Week 2007

Transport International Magazine

Full graphics version

accessibility | site help | site map

ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR | +44 20 7403 2733 | mail@itf.org.uk