Speaking today, International Women’s Day, Diana Holland, chair of the ITF’s (International Transport Workers’ Federation’s) women transport workers’ committee, said: “The 8th of March isn’t just an occasion of celebration, resistance and diversity, it’s also a time to point to achievements and growth. The ITF and its unions stand proud in working with women transport workers making workplaces better, safer and more representative.”

Over 200 students and faculty members from Myanmar Maritime University participated in a seminar on mental wellbeing, which was organised by the ITF and the Independent Federation of Myanmar Seafarers (IFOMS), in collaboration with the university and student union.

Unions will combat inequality, fear and intolerance

Providing HIV tests, handing out leaflets, engaging people of all ages – these are just some of the activities carried out by ITF unions and partner organisations on World AIDS Day (1 December) to raise awareness of the disease among workers and the public.

A new film designed as an education tool for seafarers on the prevention of HIV/AIDS has been launched in the Philippines this week.

Seafarers can now easily access up-to-date information and guidance about HIV/AIDS on their mobile devices, thanks to a new wellbeing app launched by the ITF this week.

“We’ve set up a desk at headquarters where women can come and raise their issues. We promote it at meetings and social gatherings so that every woman knows that they can get support.”

We would like to wish transport workers all over the world a very happy New Year. We hope you have had a peaceful festive season and the break has been a chance for members, staff and officers to regroup, to renew commitments and to gather collective strength for the challenges that lie ahead in 2016.

2015 saw some big wins for the ITF and successes in supporting new unions, despite serious attacks on the union movement around the world.

Thousands of people have been offered support, information and practical help as unions around the world backed the ITF’s call to take action for World AIDS Day 2015 on 1 December.

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) is putting prevention at the centre of its HIV/AIDS education work as it marks World AIDS Day on Tuesday 1 December. It has entered partnerships with organisations globally as it aims for no new HIV infections.

Following consultations with the ITF, major Philippines-based manning agent Magsaysay Maritime Corporation has announced a number of forward-looking initiatives on HIV/AIDS and seafaring.