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The latest news on the issues affecting us all, and the actions we’re taking to improve our working lives and futures.
Platform workers: It's time for rights
ON THE GROUND
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Press Release
Protecting seafarers from criminalisation: industry leaders unite to address a growing crisis
The maritime industry faces an urgent challenge: the increasing criminalisation and unjust treatment of seafarers. Despite being vital to global trade, seafarers often face unjust criminal charges
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Press Release
Seafarers’ unions and maritime employers agree pay boost under world’s largest Collective Bargaining Agreement
Seafarers around the world will receive a two-year, 5% pay rise after negotiations at the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) in Singapore last month. The pay award will be implemented through a 3.5%
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Press Release
ITF: Seafarer abandonment in 2025 poised to shatter 2024 record
New figures released by the ITF reveal that vessel abandonments have surged nearly 33% year on year. By May this year, 158 cases of vessel abandonment had been recorded, up from 119 at the same point in 2024.
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ITF slams Argentina’s Milei decree that guts the merchant marine and strips workers’ rights
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) condemns Argentine President Javier Milei’s new “Exceptional Regime for the National Merchant Marine” as a reckless act of deregulation that
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Press Release
ITF exposes sham union endangering seafarers everywhere
Shipping companies, financiers and governments across the world urged to cut ties with sham union, ISU-Lanibra . The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is sounding the alarm on a
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This May Day, transport workers stand united for a better world
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) joins workers around the world to celebrate May Day – a day of solidarity, struggle, and commitment to building a better world for all.
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International Workers’ Memorial Day 2025: Remember the dead, fight for the living
Every year, thousands of transport workers are killed while doing their jobs.
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India commits to compensation for seafarer suicide
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), Synergy Maritime Group and India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), convened in Mumbai to address the critical issue of seafarer
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Agreement reached on new global minimum wage for seafarers
The International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) both welcomed the introduction of a new minimum wage, following negotiations in Geneva. These increases
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Seafarers officially recognised as ‘key workers’ after successful Geneva negotiations
Landmark changes to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) mean seafarers are officially recognised as ‘key workers’ by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The Seafarers’ Group at the ILO led
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ITF Welcomes MEPC83 Agreement: Seafarers Central to Decarbonisation Efforts
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) welcomes the agreement reached at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee 83rd session (MEPC83)
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Union power wins new Interislander ferries for New Zealand
In a huge win for International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) affiliate, the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ), the New Zealand Government has promised to deliver two new, publicly owned and rail-enabled ‘Interislander’ ferries.
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TRANSPORT WORKERS KEEP THE WORLD MOVING
Our voice our stories
We are transport, and these are our stories: our hardships and triumphs, our frustrations and elations, our tribulations and breakthroughs, our fears and aspirations. Both moments of the extraordinary, and experiences of our everyday.
Impact stories
How transport unions are tackling modern slavery head-on
In a world marked by war, climate disaster, inequality and mass displacement, modern slavery and human trafficking are surging. And too often, it’s transport workers — especially migrants — who are
Worker stories
Transport Workers on the Front Line
Transport workers keep everyone safe in dangerous weather, and it is unions leading the way on protecting workers and passengers, winning protections like early warning systems. For Andrés and Lourdes
Impact stories
From grievances to global Insights - the ITF's data-driven approach
Comment article Seth Payer, Head of Data and Research at the International Transport Workers’ Federation The role of trade unions and a core pillar of the work of the International Transport Workers’
Impact stories
Seafarers win collective bargaining breakthrough in Iran
An ITF-affiliated seafarers’ union based in Iran has achieved a major organising victory. The Iranian Merchant Mariners Syndicate (IMMS) has won a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for