health and safety

ETF is shocked and devasted to learn of the death of Belly Mujinga, TSSA union member and railway ticket officer for Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) Southern, who died of Coronavirus in April after being spat on by a member of the public while carrying out her duties.

The ETF online survey on driver fatigue in European road transport as part of their EU-funded project “Trade unions and drivers for safer roads in Europe” is now closed.

ETUC and European Trade Union Federations commemorate all those who died from coronavirus in a joint statement. We remember all workers who died from coronavirus through exposure at work. No one should die from work!

Social partners in fisheries - ETF and Europeche - issued a new resolution, calling for an introduction of social objectives in the CFP.

The crisis caused by COVID-19 is taking a huge toll on the transport workers of Europe. ETF General Secretary Livia Spera highlighted the obstacles transport workers are faced with, in a video message.

In view of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and its on impact transport workers, we sent a letter to Adina Vălean, Commissioner for Transport and Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights where we outlined our concerns, and what a plan to remedy the current situation should look like.

Obtaining a valid visa to go on shore, is an important aspect of seafarers’ wellbeing. Shore leave is a right for every seafarer and after spending many nights onboard it is paramount for maintaining good health. When ships are in ports, seafarers should, therefore, be able to easily leave the ship regardless of their nationality. Existing procedures within the EU however often impede on time granting of visas to seafarers. This has a major impact on their mental health and wellbeing. ETF, therefore, calls on EU Member States to ensure the implementation of the Code is adequately applied to seafarers.

On 8 January, dockers, shop stewards, trade unions and legal advisors from ten different countries gathered in Rotterdam and pledged to take action to ensure that the new Dockers’ Clause is correctly implemented. The attendees of the gathering formed an international team of legal advisors to prepare for action against shipping companies that do not comply with the Dockers’ Clause.