The European Transport Workers’ Federation welcomes the publication of the European Commission’s Quality Jobs Roadmap and the initiation of the first-phase social partner consultation, which signals a positive intent to improve the quality of jobs across Europe. The ETF reminds that ensuring quality jobs is fundamental to workers’ well-being and their right to work with dignity, as well as boosting competitiveness.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Ole Philipsen, Chair of the ITF Offshore Task Force and a long-standing member of the ITF’s Fair Practices Committee. Ole passed away after a short and sudden illness. Ole served for almost 30 years as a respected leader within Dansk Metal, where he held the position of Head of the Seafaring Section (Metal Maritime). He was known for his deep commitment to improving the lives of seafarers, and he brought that same commitment, integrity, and sense of justice to his work across the ITF.

Today, union federations EFBWW, EFFAT, and ETF, along with workers and MEPs, gathered outside the European Parliament to show their support ahead of the EMPL Committee vote on the report addressing abusive subcontracting and unregulated labour intermediation. The mobilisation highlighted the urgency of EU action.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), together with Nautilus NL and FNV, has submitted a formal request to the Court of Appeal in the Netherlands to reconsider and correct key preliminary considerations in its recent interim ruling concerning the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause (NSWC).

The ETF Railways Section just elected its new Chair, Gerhard Tauchner, to replace Giorgio Tuti, who has been elected as ETF President. In a powerful moment, trade union members thanked the previous Chair for his important work and elected new leadership to defend the future of railway workers at the European level. We decided to interview the new Chair to understand his priorities for the following years.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), together with Nautilus NL and FNV, has submitted a formal request to the Court of Appeal in the Netherlands to reconsider and correct key preliminary considerations in its recent interim ruling concerning the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause (NSWC). The NSWC is a long-standing provision designed to protect seafarers’ rights, safety, and wellbeing, and forms an integral part of ITF collective bargaining agreements.

On 17–18 November 2024, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) hosted the fourth and final seminar of the inland waterways pillar of the EU-funded project Delivering Fair Transport for All. As with the previous seminars, this session focused entirely on the Danube region. The first day featured a productive exchange with the Danube Commission on strengthening the involvement of the ETF and its affiliates in the work of this intergovernmental organisation established by the Belgrade Convention of 1948.

Fishers from Indonesia and Angola working on the Novo Ruivo left without pay for eight months Twelve fishers working aboard the Portuguese-flagged fishing vessel Novo Ruivo ( IMO 8734671) have been abandoned and left without pay for the past eight months.

Ship’s master reacts with violence as inspector defends seafarers’ rights in Le Havre, France The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) strongly condemns the assault of ITF Inspector Corine Archambaud while carrying out her official duties onboard the MV BF CARP at MSC Terminal, Le Havre.

Just four weeks after celebrating the European Parliament’s rejection of the initial mandate for negotiations on Omnibus I, we now face a serious blow. The European Parliament has adopted a position that will significantly weaken key EU sustainability legislation.

On Monday, ETF took part in a Belgian roadside inspection dedicated to cargo securing and exceptional vehicle cargo. The latter refers to trucks transporting loads that exceed standard weight or dimensions and often involves obtaining necessary exemptions and permits. The inspection took place in Bertem, at a truck stop near the highway. A significant number of trucks on the Belgian roads still transport unsecured or poorly secured cargo, posing serious dangers to both drivers and other road users.

A first read of the Commission’s Communication shows that it fails to mention workers even once. It also ignores the persistent problem of labour shortages and how to address them, as well as the well-known deterioration in working conditions in the sector. Disregarding such fundamental issues is a serious threat to the success of this proposal for military mobility. If we can’t attract workers in times of peace, how can we expect to do so in times of war?