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Supply Chains

Nothing moves without a transport worker. From food and medical supplies to clothing and computers, transport workers are essential to keeping global supply chains running.

However, all too often transport workers – and the value they add to the global economy – are invisible. Even as globalisation has increased international trade, labour standards have been eroded as businesses seek the cheapest possible way to compete to move goods. Meanwhile, e-commerce giants are using digital technology to reshape the way we shop, often at the expense of workers involved in distribution and delivery.

The ITF recognises that, for workers to wield real power in the 21st Century, we need to organise along supply chains. We do this in four ways:

  • Organising the warehousing sector, the key industrial hubs in global supply chains
  • Campaigning in logistics companies to ensure strong labour standards across different transport sectors
  • Targeting economic employers, who hold power to improve supply chain standards
  • Lobbying for regulation and enforcement mechanisms which enable governments, multilateral institutions and workers themselves to take more action to protect workers’ rights
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Supply Chains News

News | 23 Mar 2023 Press Release

Governments obliged to learn pandemic supply chain lessons – maritime report

Governments should learn lessons from the pandemic and its aftermath to secure reliable maritime supply chains for their citizens and the climate, the International...

News | 13 Mar 2023

ITF rail, road and urban transport conferences start today in Johannesburg

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the democratic, global union federation of 670 transport unions in 147 countries, representing over 18...

News | 01 Mar 2023 Press Release

Don’t buy voluntary ‘standards’ spin if you want to end fisher exploitation, UK supermarkets told

UK supermarkets are being advised to steer clear of voluntary standards, tools and certifications when it comes to clearing their seafood supply chains of labour...

News | 05 Dec 2022

Global fisheries conference marks progress for workers as battle shifts to retailers and consumers

Unions representing more than 129,000 fishers are gathering in Amsterdam over the next two days to set their agenda for advancing fishers’ rights, safety and...

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The ITF co-ordinates practical solidarity for transport unions around the world. By bringing unions together, we can ensure better working conditions, improve workers’ rights, and create a just and fair society for everyone.

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