Young workers are both the present and the future of the global economy.
On International Youth Day, 12 August, the ITF’s message is to stress the importance for transport unions to not just recruit young workers, but to actively promote and support young workers’ structures within unions.
Every day young transport workers keep the world moving, helping goods and people get where they need to be. Despite this, young workers are often marginalised and face significant barriers to secure, decent employment. In many parts of the world, reliable and rewarding jobs are a thing of the past along with stable jobs and pensions. The increase of precarious work for young workers often exposes them to physical and mental harm; violence, harassment and discrimination.
As trade unionists we know that the only way to win justice is through collective action. We must transform the labour movement and wider society to put the demands of young workers at the centre. We must challenge transport companies, governments, multilateral institutions and even our own unions to guarantee a voice, a future of hope, not fear, for young workers.
We call on transport unions:
- to create spaces for young workers through structures that will increase young transport workers activities;
- to support young transport workers in organising and campaigning initiatives; in their pursuit of secure and decent employment;
- to continue to map membership statistics of youth structures within the regions to effectively advocate for, and protect, the rights of young transport workers.
ITF Young Transport Workers’ Officer, Baker Khundakji said: “A just future for all means trade unions being inclusive to all in the present. When trade unions are inclusive of all members of the workforce, when they actively support youth structures, they are stronger.
“Let’s raise our collective voices at our Congress in October. Together, unions can build a world fit for our future. Together we can fight for, and win, a just future.”
