Contents:

1. Section Update
2. Health and Safety
3. Industry trends
4. Americas & The Caribbean
5. Asia Pacific
6. Africa and Middle East
7. Europe

The Dockers’ Secretariat would like to wish
all its affiliates Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year!

1. SECTION UPDATE

2,000 JOBS THREATENED IN MOROCCO PORT RESTRUCTURING: The ITF has condemned plans by the Moroccan government to dismiss some 2,000 dockers who are members of the Union des Syndicats UMT des Transport, as part of a port reform package.  The ITF has written to the government pointing out that the loss of livelihoods on this scale and the impact that it would have not only on the workers, but also on their families, calls into question the government’s management of the reform process and its attitude towards the welfare of workers. This is particularly the case since the dockers’ concerns have not been addressed despite the union’s ongoing efforts to negotiate an acceptable resolution over a number of months.  The workers are also being backed by the European Transport Workers’ Federation, the CNPTA in France, the TCM UGT in Spain and Arab World unions who have sent letters of protest to the government, all expressing concern over the grave social consequences of the decision and calling for the government to enter into meaningful negotiations with the union to reach a reasonable resolution.

COSTA RICAN DOCKERS OVERCOME STRONG ARM TACTICS: Dockworkers who took strike action in two Costa Rican ports have won a substantial victory after reaching an agreement with the government which met all of their immediate demands.  Members of ITF-affiliated SINTRAJAP, the dockworkers were protesting at the lack of consultation over restructuring plans and demanding that the terms of their collective bargaining agreement be respected.  They began a work-to-rule on 25 September in the ports of Limon and Moin.  This was met with a heavy-handed response by the authorities, which sent in 300 police and security personnel who took over cargo handling work from the union members. Despite suffering attacks and intimidation, the workers went on strike.  In a dramatic turnaround on 27 October, the union reached an agreement with the government. Strike action was called off after the deal was struck.  The Section had issued an Urgent Action calling for solidarity support for the union.  The ITF Dockers’ Section Committee also passed a resolution supporting the unions under attack in Costa Rica and Guatemala (see below).  In addition, the ITF and its sister organisation, the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) lobbied fruit companies using the Costa Rican ports, as well as the port of Quetzal in Guatemala.  As negotiations are ongoing in Costa Rica, the Section will monitor the situation with the help of the Inter-American office. 

RIOT POLICE INVADE GUATEMALAN PORT: In October, the ITF wrote to the President of Guatemala protesting at an impending crisis in the port of Quetzal, which was occupied by 300 armed riot police following industrial action by ITF affiliate, the Puerto Quetzal Dockers’ Union (STEPQ).  Their action was in protest over plans to privatise the port, the company's failure to negotiate a collective agreement and trade union oppression. They were also demanding the sacking of the head of the port.  On 11 September, after having no success in establishing a dialogue with the port company, the union started a lawful permanent assembly. At 4 o’clock in the morning of 9th October the government sent the police in.  The workers of Puerto Quetzal have suffered constant repression by the Port Company for some time. Policemen have harassed union leaders, especially the General Secretary, who has been followed and pursued by armed agents.  Guatemala is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for trade unionists, with many being murdered each year.  The Section issued an Urgent Action calling for solidarity support for the union.  Banana companies using the port were also lobbied with the help of the IUF.  The Guatemalan government has now indicated that it is ready to come to the negotiating table.  The Section is monitoring the situation in Guatemala.

CLOSURE OF DOCK LABOUR BOARD PUTS KARACHI DOCKWORKERS LIVELIHOODS AT STAKE: The ITF has written to Pakistan’s Minister for Ports to express concern over the imminent closure of the Karachi Dock Labour Board (KDLB) as part of the privatisation process.  The livelihoods of 3,794 dockworkers and the future of their families are at stake following this decision.  Attempts by the ITF-affiliated Karachi Harbour and Dock Workers’ Union to enter into a dialogue with the government have yielded no response.  The ITF has called on the government of Pakistan to reconsider its decision to close the KDLB, and to enter into discussions with unions as a matter of urgency in the interest of all parties.  The Section has also learnt that all the major unions at the port of Karachi have formed a Port Workers Alliance to struggle for the protection of the rights of port workers.  The Section welcomes this very positive development and will be supporting its affiliates in their campaign.

SRI LANKAN ILO COMPLAINT ON FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION VIOLATIONS: Several unions in including the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya and the Suhada Varaya Sewaka Sangamaya lodged a complaint with the ILO regarding violations of freedom of association after a supreme court ordered legitimate industrial action to be called off and police and the armed forces to be deployed to oversee the suspension.  ITF General Secretary, David Cockroft, has written to the two unions confirming support and expressing the intention of the ITF to associate itself with the ILO complaint.

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