13 October 2008

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Page context: International Road Transport Action Week 2008 > 13 October 2008

Mozambique
The Minister of Transport for Mozambique, Pauloa Francisco Zucula has today opened an ITF capacity building seminar being held in Central Maputo for transport workers in Angola and Mozambique. During the opening ceremony, Naphtal Simbine, the General Secretary of ITF affiliate, the Sindicato Nacional do Trabalhadores dos Transportes Rodoviário e Assistência Técnica (SINTRAT) emphasised the need for the government to put workers' rights at the top of the transport agenda in Mozambique. He reminded participants that without realising workers' rights, there would be no progress in any sector. Joseph Katende, ITF Africa Regional Secretary, attended the event and advised employers and the government to engage SINTRAT in constructive dialogue. The seminar marks the beginning of campaign activities in Mozambique, which will include marches and other public events. Media coverage has been good. (Email report by Joseph Katende)

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Pakistan
A rally was held at a major bus terminal in Lahore on 13 October from 11h00, led by President Mrs Atia Saleem and General Secretary Haji Muhammad Saeed. The participants unanimously demanded the release of Mansour Osanloo and the reinstatement of all dismissed workers. The main discussions involved the previous government’s clear violation of ILO conventions regarding the right to be a member of a trade union and union activities not allowed in PIA, Pakistan Railways, Banks Pakistan Mint and Hospital Employees. The announcement of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Gallani to abolish the anti-union laws and establish laws in line with the ILO conventions was acknowledged. (Email report by Haji Muhhmad Saeed)

Lithuania and Estonia
16 union representatives from the Estonian Transport & Road Workers' Trade Union and the Lithuanian Transport Workers' Federation are visiting the truck drivers' parking area at Kaunas in Lithuania, where mostly Estonian drivers stop to spend the night. A questionnaire on conditions at the parking facilities is being distributed to drivers and the activists are also talking to drivers about the role of unions. Reaction from the drivers has been positive so far and the unions hope to speak to at least 70 drivers at the parking area during the evening. In addition to this joint activity, the Lithuanian Transport Workers' Federation will focus local activity on negotiations of a branch agreement for the transport sector and is due to meet with the central employers' organisation on 14 October. The Estonian Transport & Road Workers' Trade Union plans to organise activities on passenger transport security during the Action Week.
(Phone report by Janina Malinovska)

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Germany
Ver.di members have started their Action Week activities as early as 4am today in different parts of Germany. For example, in the state of Bayern, activists have visited more than 20 truck stops on the motorways. Improvement of the rest facilities is a key issue for the union.

Germany and the Netherlands
In Lower Saxony, a successful joint event has taken place with their counterparts from the Netherlands in the border town of Bentheim where the unionists met with and spoke to many professional drivers including those from Poland and Russia. More activities are planned throughout the week.
(Phone report by Detlef Dreyer)

Spain
ELA-Hainbat in Spain started their campaign activities during the week prior to the Action Week. Under the theme of health and safety at work, the union held courses and distributed leaflets at various workplaces in four provinces. At goods companies, the union highlighted issues relating to the transportation of dangerous goods and when visiting workers at bus companies the union focused on violence at work. This morning, approximately 30 union representatives distributed campaign leaflets in Euskara, Spanish, English and French to lorry drivers at Biriatu on the Spanish/French border. Campaign posters were also distributed to drivers. More activities are planned during the week when activists will visit different workplaces to raise awareness about the campaign. (Phone report by Esteban Pereda)

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