COVID-19: A call for social dialogue in Inland Waterways This morning, European Barge Union released a statement, calling for the free movement of vessels and crew members, as well as flexibility in the application of the working time directive crewing regulations. On top of that, they propose the elimination of penalties in cases where these regulations are not respected. In response, we sent out a letter to EBU and ESO, emphasising the need for social dialogue in Inland Waterways in these difficult times. News 19 Mar 2020
COVID19: Letter to Transport Commissioner in response to the meeting of Council of Transport Ministers resource 19 Mar 2020
COVID-19: Drivers in the road transport industry need concrete action from the EU resource 19 Mar 2020
Radical changes required to future-proof training and education of maritime professionals As part of the SkillSea project, a new report was released – Current Skills Needs: Reality and Mapping. Researchers surveyed more than 1,600 maritime professionals – 1,149 seafarers and 474 shore-based personnel – to get their views on the adequacy of current maritime training and education and what they consider to be the most important skills needs. News 19 Mar 2020
COVID-19: Social Partners’ Joint Statement on Contingency Measures in Ports In the global emergency of COVID-19 outbreak, dockers are on the frontline, ensuring loading and unloading of essential goods in European ports. Ahead of today’s extraordinary meeting of the Council of EU Transport Ministers, ETF Dockers prepared a joint statement with IDC, FEPORT and ESPO. Statement 18 Mar 2020
COVID-19: Joint Maritime Transport Social Partners’ letter Maritime transport Social Partners – ETF and ECSA – sent a letter to the Ministers of Transport ahead of the meeting of European Union Transport Ministers on the implications of COVID-19 on transport. In view of the vital importance of shipping and related services for the EU and its citizens, ECSA and ETF call on the European Commission and the Member States to take decisive and assertive action in facilitating the supply chains and seafarer travel, providing much-needed support to the industry and workforce. Statement 18 Mar 2020