Governments and employers must protect the lives and livelihoods of transport workers impacted by the war in the Middle East
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Executive Board, speaking on behalf of 16.5 million transport workers worldwide, joins the global trade union movement in calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to peace in the Middle East.
We reiterate the demands made by the Council of Global Unions on 15 March 2026. The ongoing military escalation has already resulted in unacceptable civilian casualties, destruction of vital infrastructure, and heightened risks for workers across the region, including transport workers operating in ports, airports and at sea. This is taking place in a broader global context marked by the rise of the far right, whose aggressive and militaristic policies are fuelling division, undermining international cooperation and increasing the risk of conflict that working people ultimately pay the price for.
The ITF unequivocally affirms that peace, grounded in international law and multilateral cooperation, is the only sustainable path forward. We reiterate that all parties must comply fully with the United Nations Charter, including the prohibition on the use or threat of force. Any State or other party to armed conflict must unequivocally respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. The targeting or endangerment of workers, including transport workers, is unacceptable under any circumstances.
Transport workers are among the first to feel the impacts of conflict and geopolitical instability.
Civilian seafarers have been placed in unacceptable danger, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, where the targeting of commercial vessels – including attacks that have killed and injured seafarers – is putting tens of thousands of seafarers at serious risk. While the announcement of a temporary ceasefire and safe passage through the Strait is welcome, it is not enough. It must be the starting point for permanent de-escalation and the permanent, unconditional reopening of the Strait.
Attacks on civilian airports and aviation facilities have also placed aviation workers at severe risk. Aviation workers – including pilots, cabin crew, ground staff and air traffic controllers – continue to operate under exceptional pressure, maintaining the continuity of services despite escalating threats to their safety. The crisis is also driving widespread disruption across global aviation, including airspace closures, flight diversions, and operational instability, increasing the burden on workers and heightening risks to their physical and psychological wellbeing.
At the same time, the war has led to significant disruptions in global supply chains and sharp increases in oil, gas and fuel costs. These developments are placing enormous pressure on transport systems and workers’ livelihoods worldwide. The crisis exposes how essential reliable, accessible public transport is for climate and social justice. As fuel costs rise and millions are struggling to afford daily travel, governments must be encouraging a shift to public transport to reduce congestion and fuel consumption. Additional gains can be achieved through car sharing and more efficient driving practices, as well as improved efficiency in freight and delivery operations. Underinvestment has weakened services or left entire communities without any services to rely on.
In line with the principles of the International Labour Organization (ILO), including the Decent Work Agenda and core conventions on occupational safety and health and social protection, the ITF calls on transport employers to take immediate and concrete measures to protect workers.
Employers, major brands and multinationals – through their human rights due diligence processes – must ensure the health and safety of all transport workers operating in or affected by conflict zones, including through risk assessments, adequate training and the provision of appropriate protective measures. They must also safeguard workers’ incomes, employment security and welfare, ensuring that no worker bears the economic burden of geopolitical crises beyond their control. This includes fair compensation, income protection mechanisms, and respect for collective bargaining agreements and social dialogue.
Governments have a critical responsibility to intervene decisively. The ITF calls on governments to adopt urgent economic measures to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs and inflation on transport workers. This should include targeted subsidies, price stabilisation mechanisms where appropriate, and broader social protection measures in line with international law. Governments must also ensure that transport workers are not forced into unsafe conditions due to economic pressures and that labour rights, including freedom of association and collective bargaining, are fully respected.
Furthermore, the ITF urges governments to work through the United Nations and other multilateral institutions to prioritise diplomacy, de-escalation, and conflict resolution. The protection of workers, civilians, and essential services must be at the centre of all international efforts.
The ITF stands in solidarity with transport workers and their trade unions across the Middle East and globally. We reaffirm our commitment to peace, justice, and the protection of workers’ rights. Transport workers must not pay the price of war; not with their lives, their livelihoods, or their dignity.
The ITF Executive Board calls for:
- A permanent ceasefire and de-escalation of the conflict, with all parties adhering to the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, and prioritising diplomacy through the United Nations.
- Full protection of civilians, including transport workers, and safeguarding of critical civilian infrastructure and workplaces.
- Transport employers to take urgent measures to protect the health and safety of workers, including risk mitigation, training, and appropriate protections in line with ILO Convention No. 155.
- Transport employers to guarantee workers’ incomes, employment security and welfare, including through income protection, fair compensation, and respect for collective bargaining and social dialogue.
- Governments to implement economic measures to address the impact of rising oil, gas, and fuel costs on transport workers, including subsidies, price stabilisation mechanisms, and support for transport systems.
- Governments to strengthen social protection in line with relevant ILO Standards, ensuring that all transport workers have access to adequate income security and essential services.
- Governments and international institutions to uphold labour rights, human rights and democratic freedoms, including freedom of association, across the region and around the world.
