Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 1d

⛴️ Ten syrian seafarers rescued after 5 months abandoned 🇸🇾

The ITF Inspectorate took action to get the the crew of the Mar 4's wages paid and the seafarers repatriated.

www.seatrade-maritime.com/crewing/itf-...

ITF rescue seafarers abandoned off Cyprus

Cyprus Maritime panel on crew welfare saw union boss Stephen Cotton discussing the plight of seafarers just a local inspector rescued an abandoned crew

www.seatrade-maritime.com

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 1d

Poor mental health disproportionately affects transport workers. We will keep fighting until every worker, in every transport sector, receives the training and support they need.

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 1d

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, ITF is celebrating the wins unions have made to secure better mental health and wellbeing for transport workers around the world.

1 1

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 2d

Cotton spoke on the 'Seas of Change: Technology’s Impact on Shipping and Seafarers' session today. During the session, panelists from the maritime industry discussed the effect of digitalisation and automation on shipping and seafarers.

Reposted by International Transport Workers' Federation

Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 3d

This week we were at the International Court of Justice in The Hague for the oral hearings on the request for an advisory opinion on the Right to Strike under ILO Convention 87.

The @ituc.bsky.social participated in these proceedings representing the workers of the world.

#RightToStrike

🧵1/10

1 3 4

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 2d

Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary, meeting with Marina Hadjimanolis, Cyprus Deputy Minister for Shipping, and Charalambos Avgousti, FTPAW SEK General Secretary, at the Maritime Cyprus Conference yesterday.

1

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 4d

🇹🇭 On #WorldDayforDecentWork, Southern Riders Association and Riders Network joined the Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation to demonstrate commitment as workers and to call for equal rights for riders — equal protection for all workers, both in and outside the formal system.

2 6

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 4d

🇳🇱 Dockworkers at International Lashing Services B.V. and Matrans Marine Service B.V. in the Netherlands are preparing for strike action today.

Seafarers, under ITF/IBF agreements, you cannot be ordered to do lashing work normally done by dockworkers during a strike.

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 4d

ITF is calling for democracy that delivers decent work for workers around the world.

Our democracies are under threat from anti-union corporations and the wealthy elite - unions are opposing the power of corporate greed to build a future where all workers have decent work 💪

3

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 5d

Workers should never be used as pawns in political conflict. The ITF echoes the voices of our aviation affiliates in calling for an agreement that immediately ends this shutdown.

The safety of the world’s aviation system cannot wait.

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 5d

Aviation's most safety critical workers - air traffic controllers and aviation security staff - are being forced to report for duty without pay while others are on furlough without pay and locked out of doing their jobs - this is unacceptable.

1

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 5d

The ITF Civil Aviation Section stands in full solidarity with our affiliates in the United States and the millions of federal workers impacted by the government shutdown.

www.itfglobal.org/en/news/end-...

End the US Government shutdown – put workers and safety first

The ITF Civil Aviation Section, representing aviation workers across the globe, stands in full solidarity with our affiliates in the United States and the millions of federal wor

www.itfglobal.org

1 1

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 5d

"Drivers can only work safely if they can rest safely"
- Flemming Overgaard, ITF Road Transport Section Chair

#SafeRatesSaveLives

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 5d

Lack of spaces, lack of safety, lack of comfort.

This is the harsh analysis from ITF Affiliate, @btb-abvv.bsky.social's, Black Book on motorway car parks for for tens of thousands of road transport drivers in Belgium.

The Flemish govt must take responsibility.

#SafeRatesSaveLives

1 1 1

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 9d

Cabotage can

- increase the resilience of international supply chains
- secure coastlines
- support strategic fleets
- reskill national seafarers.

In times of crisis, if there is no cabotage, there is no resilience.

splash247.com/cabotage-law...

Cabotage laws now cover 85% of world’s coastlines - Splash247

Cabotage has spread to 105 states around the world, stretching along the coastlines of approximately 85% of the world, according to findings carried in second edition of Cabotage Laws of the World, pu...

splash247.com

2 5

Reposted by International Transport Workers' Federation

Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 11d

Great to see the UN SG's report on #JustTransition refer to @itfglobalunion.bsky.social & @ituc.bsky.social submissions in context of human rights frameworks for a JT.

PARA 47: right to strike should be protected in transition-related decision-making!

LINK: www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul...

www.ohchr.org

1 3

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 10d

"States cannot pick and choose when to respect international law."

ITF call on Israel to respect international law by allowing the Global Sumud Flotilla safe passage and ending the criminalisation of crew, volunteers and humanitarian activists.

5 8

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 10d

🗣️ “The law of the sea is clear: attacking or seizing non-violent, humanitarian vessels in international waters is illegal and unacceptable."

ITF General Secretary, Stephen Cotton.

We stand in unwavering solidarity with the the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 10d

The Global Sumud Flotilla says its fleet of over 50 ships has entered the ‘high-risk zone.’

Gaza Sumud flotilla: How Israel breaks international maritime law

The Global Sumud Flotilla says its fleet of over 50 ships has entered the ‘high-risk zone.’

bit.ly

1 8 9

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 11d

The 2025-2029 ITF action plan will support unions worldwide to fight for a just and feminist transition by:

- Campaigning for gender-transformative climate action
- Engaging industry
- Strengthening women’s voices and leadership
- Influencing international policy

2

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 11d

Over 80 women union leaders have come together to protect and empower women transport workers being affected by the climate crisis.

Together, we can make sure that women workers are not left behind.

#ThisIsOurWorldToo #ClimateJusticeWorkerJustice

www.itfglobal.org/en/news/wome...

Women transport workers unite for gender-transformative climate action

Over 80 women union leaders, activists and organisers from across the transport sector gathered online for the ITF webinar ‘

www.itfglobal.org

1 2

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 11d

Every year seafarers are killed or seriously injured carrying out lashing duties for which they are not trained. Seafarers have the right to refuse lashing and other unsafe work if it puts them in danger.

@nautilusint.org

www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insi...

ITF: asked to handle cargo? Just say no!

Every year seafarers are killed or seriously injured carrying out lashing duties for which they are not trained. The ITF wants all seafarers to know that they can refuse this dangerous work

www.nautilusint.org

1

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 15d

ITF affiliate @unitetheunion.bsky.social is calling on Transport for London to do more after 818 physical assaults and hate crimes on bus drivers in London in 2024 - up 20.5% on the previous year.

Employers must ensure that transport workers are protected at work.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Unite calls for action on 'disgraceful' London bus driver assaults

There were 818 physical assaults and hate crimes on drivers in London in 2024, figures show.

www.bbc.co.uk

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 16d

More than 130 ITF Inspectors have come together in Cyprus for the ITF’s Worldwide Inspectors Seminar this week.

The Seminar reaffirms ITF’s commitment to ensuring that seafarers are protected – in every port, under every flag, every single day.

www.itfglobal.org/en/news/worl...

Worldwide Inspectors unite in Cyprus to defend seafarers’ rights

More than 130 ITF inspectors from across the globe have come together in Limassol, Cyprus, for the ITF’s Worldwide Inspectors Seminar (22–25 September 2025) this week.

www.itfglobal.org

2

Reposted by International Transport Workers' Federation

Progressive International @progintl.bsky.social · 17d

“Any attempt to block, attack, or criminalise the Global Sumud Flotilla is illegal, immoral and indefensible."

— Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary

1 2 11

Reposted by International Transport Workers' Federation

Progressive International @progintl.bsky.social · 17d

“The flotilla embodies courage and determination to support and help ease the horrific, ongoing consequences of military action.”

— Paddy Crumlin, ITF President

1 2 9