***ITF’s 43rd Congress opened in Bulgaria capital (ROUNDUP)

Source: Focus Information Agency

Sofia. 43rd Congress of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) began in the Bulgarian capital Sofia on Sunday, August 10, FOCUS News Agency reported.
The event themed “From Global Crisis to Global Justice: Transport Workers Fighting Back“ was opened by the ITF President.
There are some 700 member trade unions representing over 4.5 million workers from about 150 countries in the ITF.
The 43rd Congress of the organisation will be held until August 16.
Bulgarian interim Prime Minister, Professor Georgi Bliznashki, Mayor of Sofia Municipality, Yordanka Fandakova, President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB), Plamen Dimitrov, President of the Confederation of Labour Podkrepa, Dr Konstantin Trenchev, and others were among the guests to the event.
The most important decisions of the ITF will be made at the Congress as the trade unions belonging to it are to set its programme for the next 4 years to come and elect an Executive Council, a President, Vice-Presidents and a Secretary General.
Some 1,800 delegates and participants from 371 trade unions in 116 countries registered to take part in the 43rd Congress in ITF’s history of 118 years.
Yordanka Fandakova greeted the guests to the event and wished them success.
”Welcome to hospitable Sofia, to our ancient and at the same time so young a town. I am proud this prestigious forum is being held here. I think this fact is an act of appreciation of the work of Bulgarian trade unions,” the Mayor said, speaking at the Congress.
”I know their work well and I am not surprised you Congress is taking place here. Sometimes conversations are difficult but I have learnt from them when there is social dialogue, a solution is reached to the most difficult conversations. I am not accidentally saying how important for me the dialogue in this sector is – some 8,000 people work in the public transport [in Sofia],” the official stated.
”In my programme as a city Mayor the development of public transport is one of the most important priorities. The last couple of months show the development of public transport in Sofia – some new 9 km of metro railways will become part of the Sofia metro, we have been replacing for several months some public transport means,” the Mayor added.
”All the investments we make are based on serious gratuitous EU financing, we could not burden our citizens with that. Sofia Municipality and Federation of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria cooperate well; we jointly seek solutions to the problems,” Fandakova stated.
”Our government is an intermediate government, a caretaker government, which has to hold fair and free elections in the country,” said Bulgarian interim Prime Minister, Professor Georgi Bliznashki, speaking at the opening of the 43rd Congress of the ITF.
The official explained he was to stray a bit from his speech as the guests to the forum might have seen headlines in the Bulgarian media saying he, a leftist politician, had headed a rightist government.
Professor Bliznashki added: ”Our government is an intermediate government, a caretaker government, which has to hold fair and free elections in the country. As a person with a long career connected with the formation of the public opinion, the development of solidarity relations I would like to say I am aware your work is really hard as sometimes the others do not understand what we are trying to do for them.”
”I have myself been faced with such situations. The flax tax was introduced in Bulgaria 6 or 7 years ago and this was done by the very party I used to then belong to – the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP),” Bliznashki commented.
”I remember delivering a long speech at the National Assembly in connection with this, which met no response in the media but was probably the best speech I have ever made in my life. I remember one of the people that had recently built wealth calling me and telling me this: ”Georgi, you observed your duty but the people the interests of whom you are attempting to defend do not understand you but the others the interests of whom you are harming understand all too well and will never forgive you what you did”,” the interim premier remarked.
”This is the activity of all the people trying to protect the weak from the strong, the poor from the rich. We need solidarity in the fight for social justice. This activity cannot always pay off but is really noble. We face new and various challenges – the development of the economic and public processes and demographic problems,” Georgi Bliznashki stated.
”Holding such a high forum of the ITF, in which some 115 countries take part, in Sofia, is a sign of recognition for the Federation of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria,” the official remarked.
”The fact Bulgaria hosts an international event of this size is a sign of recognition for our trade union community and for our country as an EU member state. The Congress is the biggest trade union event to be held in Bulgaria up to the present,” Bliznashki commented.
”Our country is in the middle of a political crisis, which impacts public relations and the social life of the Bulgarian citizens,” said Plamen Dimitrov, President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB), speaking at the opening of the forum.
”I am convinced, we, the workers in Bulgaria, can give something to the workers in the whole world. I would like to thank for opting for holding this Congress here. I would like to thank all the trade unions in Bulgaria, 4 in number, which made this event possible,” Dimitrov explained.
”Without Ekaterina Yordanova, Federation of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria holding this event [in Bulgaria] would not have been possible. For the first time a world trade union congress is being held in Bulgaria, this is a fact. The fight I and Ekaterina Yordanova are engaged in is to the benefit of workers, of our brothers and sisters so that they could have a better life,” Plamen Dimitrov remarked.
”There has been a strong worker’s and trade unionist movement in our country for 130 years. We constantly fight to earn our bread, to provide or preserve the jobs of workers in Bulgaria. We have to be organised and be stronger. Despite it all Bulgaria continues to be in hard situation – the employment rate is some 10%, the average salary is estimated at EUR 400, which does not make us happy,” the CITUB President remarked.
In his words, solidarity is one of the most important qualities of trade unionists and in order to be successful, they have to build networks of solidarity.

***Public transport one of top priorities in Bulgaria capital mayor’s programme

10 August 2014 | 17:28 | FOCUS News Agency

Source: Focus Information Agency

Sofia. Yordanka Fandakova, Mayor of the Bulgarian capital Sofia, attended on Sunday the opening of the 43rd Congress of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) at the National Palace of Culture (NDK), FOCUS News Agency reported.
”In my programme as a city Mayor the development of public transport is one of the most important priorities. The last couple of months show the development of public transport in Sofia – some new 9 km of metro railways will become part of the Sofia metro, we have been replacing for several months some public transport means,” the Mayor added.
”All the investments we make are based on serious gratuitous EU financing, we could not burden our citizens with that. Sofia Municipality and Federation of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria cooperate well; we jointly seek solutions to the problems,” Fandakova stated.

***Bulgaria’s interim PM to take part in ITF’s 43rd Congress

10 August 2014 | 09:12 | FOCUS News Agency

Picture: http://www.president.bg

Sofia. Bulgarian interim Prime Minister, Professor Georgi Bliznashki, is to take part in the 43rd Congress of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) on Sunday, the press service of the government announced.
The event themed “From Global Crisis to Global Justice: Transport Workers Fighting Back“ will be opened at a solemn ceremony at 3:00 pm at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) in the capital Sofia.
There are some 700 member trade unions representing over 4.5 million workers from about 150 countries in the ITF.
The 43rd Congress of the organisation will be held until August 16.

***ITF’s 43rd Congress begins in Bulgaria capital

10 August 2014 | 15:55 | FOCUS News Agency

Source: Focus Information Agency

Sofia. 43rd Congress of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has begun in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, FOCUS News Agency reported.
The event themed “From Global Crisis to Global Justice: Transport Workers Fighting Back“ was opened by the ITF President.
There are some 700 member trade unions representing over 4.5 million workers from about 150 countries in the ITF.
The 43rd Congress of the organisation will be held until August 16.
Bulgarian interim Prime Minister, Professor Georgi Bliznashki, Mayor of Sofia Municipality, Yordanka Fandakova, President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB), Plamen Dimitrov, President of the Confederation of Labour Podkrepa, Dr Konstantin Trenchev, and others are among the guests to the event.
The most important decisions of the ITF will be made at the Congress as the trade unions belonging to it are to set its programme for the next 4 years to come and elect an Executive Council, a President, Vice-Presidents and a Secretary General.
Some 1,800 delegates and participants from 371 trade unions in 116 countries registered to take part in the 43rd Congress in ITF’s history of 118 years.

FROM SHIPPING TRIBUNE (INDIA):

***Campaign for justice for Panama Canal workers

Posted on August 11, 2014 by admin

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has ramped up its campaign against the Panama Canal Authority over its ongoing failure to provide decent pay and safe working conditions for more than 9,000 affiliated maritime workers in the canal zone.

The 44-mile canal is currently undergoing a $5.25bn USD redevelopment, which will see the addition of two new locks and two new channels.

Representatives from four Panamanian unions, accompanied by ITF leadership, today met with International Labor Organisation (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder at the ITF congress in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The ITF leadership, together with the Panamanian unions, submitted an application to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) against the Government of Panama.

They allege violation of Conventions 87 and 98 on freedom of association and collective bargaining by the Panama Canal Authority.

Unions allege the Panama Canal Authority has failed to adequately recognise:

• An appropriate level of respect to labour regulations;
• Decisions by the National Labour Relations Board;
• Compensatory guarantees considering the uniqueness of the Panama Canal working conditions;
• Good faith collective bargaining; and
• ILO freedom of association principles

ITF president Paddy Crumlin said the ITF will continue to put forward the best interests of workers.

“Panama is now a major transport, logistical and financial hub yet despite several meetings the Panama Canal Authority refuses to budge,” Mr Crumlin said.

“The ITF is very concerned about the lack of proper respect and bargaining on issues surrounding health and safety provision on the job and workers being forced to undertake double shifts and 18-hour workdays.

“This has an unacceptable impact on safety and there are also concerns around pay, training and freedom of association.

“That’s why we’ve taken the step to submit an application to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association against the Government of Panama.”

The ILO set up the CFA for the purpose of examining complaints about violations of freedom of association, whether or not the country concerned has ratified the relevant conventions.

Complaints may be brought against a member state by employers’ and workers’ organizations.

“It is important for the Panamanian workers to know that the entire ITF congress is behind them and we will fight for better rights and conditions,” ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton said.

“Freedom of association and collective bargaining are among the founding principles of the ILO and we hope our intervention leads to an improvement in working conditions for the Panama Canal workers.”

An ITF video on the dispute can be found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5BQo2riqvg

The 43rd ITF congress in Sofia brings together almost 2,000 participants from 379 unions in 116 countries.

News about congress is available at www.itfcongress2014.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ITFglobal and Twitter at https://twitter.com/itfglobalunion (hashtag is #ITFcongress2014).

FROM NOVINITE (BULGARIA):

***Bulgaria's Capital Hosts Transport Federation Congress

Society | August 10, 2014, Sunday // 12:08| Views: 527 | Comments: 0

Photo by BGNES

Over 1700 delegates from 115 countries have gathered for the 43rd International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) Congress due to kick off in Sofia.

Scheduled between August 10 and 16, the event is to take place at the National Palace of Culture (NDK).

Vice President Margarita Popova, interim Prime Minister Georgi Bliznashki and major trade union representatives, Plamen Dimitrov and Konstantin Trenchev, are attending.

The ITF Congress is held once in four years, each time on a different continent.

The Federation of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria (FTTUB) worked hard to ensure that the country would host the international forum.

Unions from across the world are now expected to outline the ITF's agenda for the next four years and to choose an executive board, a President and his deputies.

According to the Bulgarian National Radio, this is the biggest trade-union event that has ever been held in Bulgaria.

For the first time the ITF Congress will be completely paper-free.

- See more at: http://www.novinite.com/articles/162631/Bulgaria%27s+Capital+Hosts+Transport+Federation+Congress#sthash.pkQkzppv.dpuf

Bulgaria's Capital Hosts Transport Federation Congress

Over 1700 delegates from 115 countries have gathered for the 43rd International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) Congress due to kick off in Sofia.

Scheduled between August 10 and 16, the event is to take place at the National Palace of Culture (NDK).

Vice President Margarita Popova, interim Prime Minister Georgi Bliznashki and major trade union representatives, Plamen Dimitrov and Konstantin Trenchev, are attending.

The ITF Congress is held once in four years, each time on a different continent.

The Federation of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria (FTTUB) worked hard to ensure that the country would host the international forum.

Unions from across the world are now expected to outline the ITF's agenda for the next four years and to choose an executive board, a President and his deputies.

According to the Bulgarian National Radio, this is the biggest trade-union event that has ever been held in Bulgaria.

For the first time the ITF Congress will be completely paper-free.

- See more at: http://www.novinite.com/articles/162631/Bulgaria%27s+Capital+Hosts+Transport+Federation+Congress#sthash.pkQkzppv.dpuf

Bulgaria's Capital Hosts Transport Federation Congress

Over 1700 delegates from 115 countries have gathered for the 43rd International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) Congress due to kick off in Sofia.

Scheduled between August 10 and 16, the event is to take place at the National Palace of Culture (NDK).

Vice President Margarita Popova, interim Prime Minister Georgi Bliznashki and major trade union representatives, Plamen Dimitrov and Konstantin Trenchev, are attending.

The ITF Congress is held once in four years, each time on a different continent.

The Federation of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria (FTTUB) worked hard to ensure that the country would host the international forum.

Unions from across the world are now expected to outline the ITF's agenda for the next four years and to choose an executive board, a President and his deputies.

According to the Bulgarian National Radio, this is the biggest trade-union event that has ever been held in Bulgaria.

FROM THE HANDY SHIPPING GUIDE (UK):

***Transport Union Congress Slates Human Costs of Improving Freight and Passenger Vessel Passage

ITF Takes Issue With Panamanian Government over Working Conditions as Canal Redevelopment Goes Ahead

BULGARIA – PANAMA – WORLDWIDE – The largest ever world congress of the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) began today in Sofia, Bulgaria and one of the first items up for discussion was the safety and pay levels at the Panama Canal which is undergoing major works at the moment to accommodate larger vessels. In order to increase revenues by transiting ever larger freight and passenger vessels more than 9,000 affiliated maritime workers are currently employed within the canal zone as the 44-mile canal currently undergoes a $5.25bn redevelopment, which will see the addition of two new locks and two new channels.

Representatives from four Panamanian unions, accompanied by ITF leadership, today met with International Labor Organisation (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder at the ITF congress in Sofia, Bulgaria and submitted an application to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) against the Government of Panama alleging violation of Conventions 87 and 98 on freedom of association and collective bargaining by the Panama Canal Authority. A video of the dispute can be seen here and the unions allege the Panama Canal Authority has failed to provide decent pay and safe working conditions.

The ITF Congress, in Sofia’s National Palace of Culture, will bring together almost 2000 people, including staff and participants from 379 trade unions in 116 countries, and is the 43rd world congress in the ITF’s 118 year history. It is the organisation’s supreme decision making event, at which its affiliated trade unions set the agenda for the next four years, and elect its executive board, president, vice presidents and general secretary. Congress 2014 is being hosted by the ITF’s affiliated Bulgarian unions, with special support from the Federation of Transport Trade Unions of Bulgaria (FTTUB), whose president, Ekaterina Yordanova, commented:

“It is with huge pleasure that we welcome our comrades from around the world. We are proud to be equal members of a multinational union federation where rich and poor, large and small, have equal rights and share the same values. Our youth, who are our promise for the future, have been preparing for months to participate, vote and welcome our visitors.

“We know the power of being a member a member of the ITF and we want to share it with all transport workers in this region. We believe that regional co-operation will give more strength to cross-border initiatives and also more opportunities for global campaigning – because we are convinced that in a globalising world the challenges ahead can only be overcome through a global union response.”

This is also the first paper-free and fully digital ITF congress, so that even those unions that can’t attend can participate in nine languages via the interactive website. A video message from Ekaterina Yordanova welcoming delegates to the event can be seen here.

Photo: ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton hands over a complaint to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) to ILO director-general Guy Ryder at the ITF congress in Sofia, Bulgaria.

FROM HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS (GREECE):

***Campaign for justice for Panama Canal workers

in International Shipping News 11/08/2014

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has ramped up its campaign against the Panama Canal Authority over its ongoing failure to provide decent pay and safe working conditions for more than 9,000 affiliated maritime workers in the canal zone.

The 44-mile canal is currently undergoing a $5.25bn USD redevelopment, which will see the addition of two new locks and two new channels.

Representatives from four Panamanian unions, accompanied by ITF leadership, today met with International Labor Organisation (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder at the ITF congress in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The ITF leadership, together with the Panamanian unions, submitted an application to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) against the Government of Panama.

ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton hands over a complaint to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) to ILO director-general Guy Ryder at the ITF congress in Sofia, Bulgaria.

They allege violation of Conventions 87 and 98 on freedom of association and collective bargaining by the Panama Canal Authority.

Unions allege the Panama Canal Authority has failed to adequately recognise:
An appropriate level of respect to labour regulations;
Decisions by the National Labour Relations Board;
Compensatory guarantees considering the uniqueness of the Panama Canal working conditions;
Good faith collective bargaining; and
ILO freedom of association principles

ITF president Paddy Crumlin said the ITF will continue to put forward the best interests of workers.

“Panama is now a major transport, logistical and financial hub yet despite several meetings the Panama Canal Authority refuses to budge,” Mr Crumlin said.

“The ITF is very concerned about the lack of proper respect and bargaining on issues surrounding health and safety provision on the job and workers being forced to undertake double shifts and 18-hour workdays.

“This has an unacceptable impact on safety and there are also concerns around pay, training and freedom of association.

“That’s why we’ve taken the step to submit an application to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association against the Government of Panama.”

The ILO set up the CFA for the purpose of examining complaints about violations of freedom of association, whether or not the country concerned has ratified the relevant conventions.

Complaints may be brought against a member state by employers’ and workers’ organizations.

“It is important for the Panamanian workers to know that the entire ITF congress is behind them and we will fight for better rights and conditions,” ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton said.

“Freedom of association and collective bargaining are among the founding principles of the ILO and we hope our intervention leads to an improvement in working conditions for the Panama Canal workers.”

An ITF video on the dispute can be found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5BQo2riqvg

The 43rd ITF congress in Sofia brings together almost 2,000 participants from 379 unions in 116 countries.
Source: ITF

FROM CROSS (BULGARIA):

***Близнашки на конгреса на Международната транспортна федерация

София /КРОСС/ Министър-председателят проф. Георги Близнашки ще участва в 43-тия конгрес на Международната транспортна федерация (МТФ) днес, съобщиха от правителствената информационна служба. Форумът ще бъде открит с тържествена церемония от 15.00 часа в Зала 1 на НДК.
Темата на конгреса е „От глобална криза към глобална справедливост-транспортните работници отвръщат на удара".
В МТФ членуват около 700 синдикални сдружения, които представляват повече от 4,5 милиона транспортни работници от 150 държави. 43-тият конгрес на организацията ще продължи до 16 август.

Прочети цялата статия тук: http://www.cross.bg/kongres-rabotnitzi-bliznashki-1424821.html#ixzz39yEInvyy

FROM TRADEWINDS:

***ITF readies for new leadership under Cotton

The emergence of a challenger is ‘highly unlikely’ to Steve Cotton’s candidature for the post of general-secretary ahead of an all-important congress meeting

The world’s most powerful maritime union is set to confirm a new leadership structure at its congress meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, next week.

As things stand, Steve Cotton, who has been acting general-secretary at the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) since David Cockroft stepped down in October 2012, is the sole candidate to take over on a permanent basis.

While the emergence of a challenger is not being ruled out, even at this late stage, union insiders say it is “highly unlikely”.

Cotton looks set to work alongside Paddy Crumlin, who is standing to be re-elected as the ITF president on completion of his first term of office.

The ITF represents some 700 maritime unions and 4.5 million transport workers. The general-secretary holds office for four years.

Cockroft, the union’s high-profile leader for 20 years, is expected to continue with roles in the union’s offshoot organisations, Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI) and the Seafarers’ Trust.

Confirmation of Cotton is unlikely to bring any major change to ITF strategy, which last underwent a significant overhaul during a 2010 meeting in Mexico.

No major policy reviews have been tabled for the Sofia meeting. However, prior to the gathering, ITF officials have suggested that there will be proposals to make the organisation more open and also to encourage a younger membership.

Cotton will also urge the ITF to adopt a more unified and integrated approach to the multiple areas of the transport logistics chain that it represents.

But the ITF appears set to remain committed to the collective wage negotiations under the International Bargaining Forum (IBF), having recently agreed a new three-year deal with employers.

It is also set to continue with its flag of convenience (FoC) campaign and promote the growth of national ship registers.

At the Sofia meeting, officers’ union Nautilus International will raise a motion suggesting that the ITF and its affiliates step up efforts to tackle what they consider to be the worsening problem of bogus employment agencies for seafarers.

Nautilus is suggesting such agencies should be routinely named and shamed.

The idea is to alert local authorities and Interpol to criminal activity in the hope that prosecutions will take place.

Last year, TradeWinds reported how Internet fraudsters were falsely claiming to represent UK-based shipping firms like Lomar, NS Lemos and AM Nomikos, and were offering jobs to seafarers at these companies on payment of a commission.

Dozens were taken in by the scam.

Even well-known shipping outfits like Carnival have found their names used to con money out of seafarers.

Although these agencies openly advertise on the Internet, examples of successful prosecution are few and far between. The updating of International Labour Organisation (ILO) regulations, in effect, to ban the payment of commissions to secure jobs from third-party agencies has also had little effect.

Nautilus spokesperson Andrew Linington said: “All the feedback we are getting is that the problem is getting worse and if anything is becoming more sophisticated as a crime.

“By naming and shaming, we can alert the authorities to where this is taking place and put pressure on them to take action.”

***Seafarer employment scammers should be named and shamed

Bogus employment agencies undermine attractiveness of pursuing careers at sea, and the offenders should be publicly identified for the good of all

Cyber crime is a threat everyone now faces in their personal lives. From identity theft to bank fraud, we are all vulnerable as more of our lives move online. Companies are just as exposed, with the threat of financial fraud and corporate espionage growing day-by-day.

Marsh, the leading insurance broker, has launched a new policy for owners to help fill the gap left by exclusions of cyber crime common in many hull and other shipping policies, as TradeWinds reported last week.

Now, in another part of the market, attention is being focused on stopping exploitation of seafarers by the worsening problem of bogus employment agencies, often hiding behind fictitious virtual identities.

Compounding the distress and loss to individuals who sign up with the fraudsters is the lack of international collaboration to expose those criminals when they are caught.

The issue is expected to be raised at the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) congress in Sofia, Bulgaria, starting this weekend (see ITF leadership, page 33). The agenda-setting meeting, which convenes only once every four years, was set to discuss a motion from Anglo-Dutch officers’ union Nautilus International.

Nautilus believes unions and industry could work together when they become aware of potential criminal scams, and alert both Interpol and local authorities for them to pursue enforcement action.

The union hopes this “naming and shaming” will not only hit the fraudsters. It will also educate seafarers and potential seafarers to the risks of signing up and paying fees to unknown companies online.

In the past year, we have reported that the names of a number of reputable owners, including AM Nomikos and Carnival, have been used to lure in gullible seafarers. In the absence of more concrete action, the industry and labour should work together to help eradicate the worst of this crime. Without that, the reputation of shipping as a worthwhile career will come under threat.