He stated: "After seven hours in custody, and being asked why a foreigner is supporting Dominican Republic air traffic controllers, I have been released without charge. None of the police officers was able to explain the reasons for the arrest, since clearly no law had been broken. This has been a valuable lesson: these same tactics are being used regularly to intimidate the member of the Dominican Air Traffic Controllers Association (ADCA) – who are now prohibited from even writing reports about incidents in the country's airspace. Twenty eight members, including the union's leaders have been sacked, and there have been many of these arrests without charges."
"I'd like to thank the national trade union centres, and national and international trade unionists for their support. The ADCA will not be silenced. This arrest stopped me from addressing a press conference on the ATC situation today. I'm glad to say that the event will now go ahead tomorrow."
ITF official arrested for investigating ATC problems in Dominican Republic is released
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Press Release
ON THE GROUND
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Statement from the ITF Executive Board in Support of Ali Albokhari
The ITF Executive Board stands unequivocally with seafarer Ali Albokhari and his family and calls for his immediate release. The criminalisation of seafarers is a growing and deeply troubling problem
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Kenneth Bondas
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is deeply saddened by the passing of Kenneth Bondas, former President of the Finnish Seafarers’ Union (FSU). Kenneth, a father of four, died at
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Press Release
‘Mind At Sea’: ITF campaign to protect seafarers’ mental health goes global
On World Mental Health Day, the ITF launches a campaign to bring wellbeing conversations into ship visits and press for stronger protections for seafarers and their families. The International
