News November 19, 2024 World Toilet Day 2024: What if you didn’t have one at your workplace? We often assume that access to clean and safe sanitation for everyone is a demand of the past in Europe. However, this fundamental human right in Europe’s transport sector is still often neglected. With the lack of sanitation or its poor quality, the transport industry is driving workers away from the industry, especially women.
Press Release November 15, 2024 EU Social Partners unveil new tools to strengthen the social dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy Yesterday, the EU Social Partners in the fisheries sector, represented by Europêche and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), presented at the European Parliament the results of a major initiative aimed at creating a safer, healthier, and more worker-friendly fisheries sector across Europe. The dissemination conference, hosted by MEPs Nicolás González Casares (Socialists and Democrats) and Paulo do Nascimento Cabral (European People’s Party), provided an opportunity to showcase innovative tools developed under the EU project Pillars of the Sea 3: Roadmap towards socially sustainable fishing.
Press Release November 13, 2024 Non-EU Fishers Working on EU Vessels: ETF Conference Calls for Fair Pay and Rights The ETF held an important conference today, spotlighting the working conditions and fair pay challenges faced by non-EU fishers employed on EU vessels. The event gathered a diverse group of policymakers from the EU Commission, Parliament and the ILO, experts, and industry stakeholders to address wage discrepancies and non-EU workers conditions in the sector.
Press Release November 13, 2024 European Social Partners issue urgent call to protect Mediterranean coastal fishing communities The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), Europêche and COGECA – European fisheries social partners- jointly adopted a resolution at their plenary meeting, urgently addressing the critical state of the Mediterranean fisheries. This decision highlights shared concerns about the situation of fisheries in the Mediterranean where coastal communities are suffering from sizeable reductions of fishing effort, and the need for sensible EU policies to support both environmental, social and economic dimensions.
News November 8, 2024 Dockers Safety Conference: “Working together. Much safer” The conference emphasised that safety is a shared responsibility and a vital investment rather than a cost. It provided a unique platform for those actively addressing safety issues within their organisations to exchange views and experiences. Employers, workers, and union leaders engaged in discussions on critical topics such as ensuring safety aboard ships, enforcing the non-seafarers’ work clause, and creating safer working conditions for lashers.
Statement November 7, 2024 ETF Statement on Fisheries and Oceans Commissioner-designate Cōstas Kadīs Hearing The ETF welcomes the Commission’s decision to separate the Fisheries and Environment portfolios, ending the unbalanced association that left fisheries as the only economic sector under the environment umbrella. This change should help ensure that fisheries are fairly represented and not disproportionately impacted compared to other sectors. The ETF looks forward to working with Commissioner Kadīs to strengthen the EU fisheries sector across all three pillars.
News November 7, 2024 ETF Urges Stricter Regulations and Accountability for Shadow Fleet Operations The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) is calling for urgent action to combat the rise of so-called “shadow fleets,” which continue to operate outside international norms, undermining basic worker protections, environmental safeguards, and maritime safety regulations. These fleets, comprising vessels with obscure ownership and frequently shifting registries, expose serious flaws in international shipping practices by allowing companies to bypass regulatory oversight, evade sanctions, and neglect seafarers’ rights.
Statement November 5, 2024 ETF Statement on Commissioner-designate Tzitzikostas’s Hearing The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), representing millions of workers across Europe’s transport sector, listened closely to yesterday’s confirmation hearing of Commissioner-designate Apostolos Tzitzikostas. The transport sector is facing a multitude of problems and ETF is determined to build a dialogue with Mr. Tzitzikostas to address the sector’s greatest challenges. Transport workers, who keep Europe moving, deserve a sector that values their contributions and meets their needs. We will watch closely for the next steps and expect a commitment to the practical changes that will benefit all Europeans.
Publication November 4, 2024 “A Europe of closed barriers? No thanks!” Opinion by Frank Moreels, ETF President – “Things are not going well for Europe. While countries like France and Germany reintroduce border controls within the Schengen zone, one of the biggest problems facing the transportation sector remains unanswered: social dumping. Instead of undermining the core of the European project by increasing controls at internal borders, EU member states would do better to focus their energy on tackling exploitation and injustice in the transportation sector.”
Press Release October 4, 2024 CJEU verdict on return of vehicle greenlights letterbox companies: ETF calls on the Commission to take action The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has today delivered a verdict to annul the return of vehicle provision, a core element of the Mobility Package. This decision is a significant setback for efforts to combat unfair competition and labor rights violations, as well as a serious blow to the economic and social sustainability of the industry.
News October 2, 2024 ETF Logistics Conference 2024: Confronting Exploitation in Europe’s Logistics Sector Discussions highlighted the rising prevalence of subcontracting, increasing workplace surveillance, and the urgent need for legislative change to protect vulnerable workers across Europe.