13 October 2009

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Page context: International Road Transport Action Week 2009 > 13 October 2009

Ethiopia
The Transport & Communications Workers' Trade Union Industrial Federation has organised a wide-ranging programme throughout the week to mark the ITF campaign. On 7 October, a panel discussion on violence at work, the impact of climate change, road safety, and the future of transport was held at the national centre conference hall. On 8 October, the panel discussion reviewed and deliberated the impact of HIV/AIDS in the transport sector. Stakeholders from various sectors attended the event. On 9 October, union organising activities resulted in the successful organising of workers at Lufthansa Airlines and Yemen Airways. Workers at DHL have also agreed to form a union and nominate a coordinating committee to facilitate the ongoing activity. On 10 October, the union collected signatures in solidarity with trade unionists in Iran. The union also collected signatures on the impact of climate change under the theme "Africa must be financially compensated". At the panel discussion, participants reached the consensus that agriculture in the region had been highly affected as a result of global warming. The document will be addressed to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia who will be a key representative for Africa at the global meeting on climate change planned in Copenhagen in December 2009. (Email report by Daniel Gebeyehu Worku)

Tanzania
On 7 October, the Communication & Transport Workers' Union of Tanzania - COTWU (T) held a meeting in Mavanza City for women transport workers. More than 150 participants including many young transport workers attended the event which discussed harassment at work, maternity leave and wages. Often, women are not paid their monthly salaries when on maternity leave and many women work in low-paid jobs. The meeting discussed how to combat these challenges. Furthermore, on 14 October, the union will participate in a meeting with the private transport employers. A rally for transport workers is also planned. (Phone report by Juliana Mpanduji)

Mauritius
In the context of marking the ITF Road Transport Action Week, the ITF National Coordinating Committee (NCC) in Mauritius - representing the AGWU, TCEU, GSEA and MTPEU - organised a forum on 13 October on the theme "Promoting the interests and safety of workers - a safe transport for all" in Port Louis. Representatives from the ITF NCC drew the attention of participants to the difficulties faced by transport workers and highlighted possible actions that could be initiated by the authorities to solve these problems. The possible privatisation of the port, introduction of special lanes for buses, dealing with cases of assault on buses, security on the roads and a lack of transport workers were among some of the issues raised during the forum. A planned peaceful march by the unions was cancelled after restrictions were imposed by the Commissioner of Police. (Email report by R. Sadien)

View photos of activities organised in Mauritius >>

Barbados
Under the slogan, "A Comfortable Driver, A Safe Ride", the Barbados Workers' Union has organised activities to raise public awareness on issue related to violence against bus drivers. These activities also follow-on the union's participation to the ITF Action Day "Unions say no to violence" in April 2009. They included a discussion on national radio regarding violence against bus drivers; short messages during peak times over the public address system at the main bus terminal advising commuters on what they could do to end violence and to promote safety on the buses; and meetings between union shop stewards to discuss the campaign and to hand out ITF posters. (Email report by Wilma Clement)

View photos of activities organised in Barbados >>

Nepal
Mass meetings for workers were organised by ITF affiliate ITWAN at Dhangadi in western Nepal by the union's Seti zonal office and at Jhapa in eastern Nepal by the union's Mechi zonal office on 11 October. Some 100 people attended both meetings which discussed the importance of organising campaigns and the role of the union. ITWAN central committee members and local leaders from the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) also participated in the meetings. On 13 October, the union's Lumbini and Narayani zonal offices organised a rally. Participants carried placards and banners and distributed leaflets. A memorandum was submitted to the transport management offices in Hetauda and Butwol. In Kathmandu, a rally held at the bus stand was addressed by the union's General Secretary who highlighted the importance of the ITF Action Week and organising. Hundreds of workers participated, as well as representatives from the media. 3,000 leaflets and 200 membership forms were distributed. The union's membership campaign will continue over the next ten days in various local districts. (Email report by Bidur Karki)

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