The BBC exposes the human cost of the global surge in ship abandonment, revealed by the work of the ITF Inspectorate — with 6,223 seafarers left stranded on 410 vessels in 2025, the worst year on record. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Based on my recent interview with a Russian shadow-fleet officer: BBC News - The shadowy world of abandoned oil tankers www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

“There was really nowhere we could go. The explosions were happening all around us.” What was supposed to be a short delivery of cargo turned into a months-long nightmare. They were eventually rescued and repatriated thanks to efforts of @itfglobalunion.bsky.social but thousands remain abandoned

The abandonment of 'shadow fleet' vessels is putting seafarers at extreme risk... 🧵 (1/4) www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

"Outsourcing allows private firms to make super profits at the expense of the hard graft of our members, deny them sick pay, continue bullying management practices and strip our people of basic dignity at work." Eddie Dempsey with a message to the Mayor of London to bring cleaners back in-house.

🚛 Safe Rates return to South Korea — but more must be done ITF welcomes the reintroduction of Safe Rates from 1 Feb 2026 — a vital step for fair pay and safer roads. Enforcement and wider coverage are now essential. #SafeRatesSaveLives Read more: 👇 www.itfglobal.org/en/news/itf-...

Solidarity with all public transport workers out on strike today in Germany! #OurPublicTransport

Solidarity with @rmtunion.bsky.social Shunter Drivers taking strike action against Southeastern trains today! Fair pay for a fair job!

Amazon pushes workers to the brink and busts their unions. It has lined up behind Trumpism and its attack on Europe’s data protections. And for the last five years, it has evaded any democratic scrutiny. But yesterday, Amazon faced workers, trade unions and MEPs in the European Parliament.

The ITF Seafarers’ Expo has officially kicked off in Mumbai, India 🇮🇳 We’re bringing 4,000+ seafarers together to speak about rights, advice, training and support directly with unions, ITF inspectors, welfare organisations, government representatives and shipping companies.

ITF sends its condolences + solidarity to all those affected by the tragic ferry sinking en route to Jolo Island. We thank the Philippine Coast Guard for rescuing over 300 survivors and call for a full investigation. www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...

Platform workers in #India strike over an ultra-fast 10-minute delivery model that puts their lives at risk. Some cities in the Netherlands, for example, have banned this practice (even if for urban congestion/planning concerns). Solidarity! #gigeconomy progressive.international/wire/2026-01...

ITF General Secretary, Stephen Cotton, attended the annual Panhellenic Maritime Organisation New Year event in Athens last week. Steve spoke about the collaboration required between unions and the industry to combat the shortage of young seafarers in Greece and globally.

Seafarer abandonment - 2025 was the worst year on record 📈 New ITF data shows that 6,223 seafarers were abandoned on 410 ships. Many of the seafarers were left unpaid, without food, water or access to ports, often for months at a time. Full story ➡️ www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/seaf...

ITF and Aviation Services Association welcome new ground-handling tendering process at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. It means fewer handling companies will be selected — with requirements that improve working conditions and raise standards for ground workers. www.itfglobal.org/en/news/itf-...

Free Lee Cheuk-yan! Global unions stand in solidarity with Lee Cheuk-yan and all workers fighting for freedom of association and justice. Read the full statement ⬇️ www.itfglobal.org/en/news/stat...

One week to go! Join us for the first ever ITF Seafarers’ Expo in India - it's not be missed! Free sign up 🔗 www.itfseafarers.org/en/seafarers...

Our thanks to Lord Watson, Baroness O'Grady, @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Eleanor Lyons, GLAA CEO Elysia McCaffrey, @shushinluh.bsky.social, @itfglobalunion.bsky.social, and all the attendees. Read the report here: labourexploitation.org/publications...

The ITF Railway Section expresses its solidarity with the family of the train driver who lost his life, with all railway workers, and with the passengers affected by the tragic accident that occurred in Gelida, Catalonia. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🗣️"This fight is for the workers, and the union is here as a backbone of support" 👏 The gig worker strikes have resulted in the Indian Government calling on quick-commerce platforms to drop their unsafe “10-minute delivery” targets.

The ITF expresses its profound sorrow and deep concern following the tragic railway accident that occurred on the outskirts of Adamuz, Spain, last night.

Insource TfL’s cleaners. End the corporate capture at TfL: 📢 Join the protest outside the TfL Board meeting at City Hall Wednesday 4th February 9.30am City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE

Union win for bus drivers in Jakarta! 🇮🇩 Yesterday, the Jakarta Transportation Alliance, made up of ITF Affiliates - SPDT, SPTJ and SPMRT, won a pay award for bus drivers in the city after years of campaigning and negotiation.

The ITF expresses its deepest condolences following the tragic rail accident in Thailand where a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and all railway workers affected. ✊ Solidarity with Thai rail unions.

🚌 🇰🇷Seoul city bus workers on strike for fair pay and respect Over 18,000 bus workers take strike action after wage talks collapsed, with 7,000 buses off the streets. ITF stands in solidarity with KATWF & Seoul City Bus Workers’ Union. ✊ Solidarity with bus workers in Korea.

Indonesian fisher unions released the Fishers' Rights Network Policy Platform today, calling on the government and other key actors to take urgent action to end exploitation, improve safety, and secure decent livelihoods. Global Justice for Fishers! ✊ www.itfglobal.org/en/news/indo...

ITF Seafarers’ Expo 2026 brings together thousands of seafarers with unions, experts and industry partners. More than 4,000 seafarers are expected to join us to gain practical knowledge, understand their rights, and explore career pathways. Sign Up 👉 bit.ly/4qiKwHx

Calling all seafarers! ⛴️ Shore leave has reached crisis levels. For many crews, it has essentially vanished. We are looking to understand whether you have ever paid for or been denied shore leave. It only takes 2 minutes. Complete our survey 👉 bit.ly/3Lz8RcM

"Workers on the ships described physical violence, including hitting or strangulation, wage deductions, intimidation and debt bondage – a system that in effect traps them at sea. Many reported working excessive hours with little rest." www.theguardian.com/environment/...

🇰🇷 Solidarity with KPTU TruckSol protesting outside of government today, where negotiations are taking place for the introduction of Safe Rates. Safe Rates guarantee fair and safe standards for driver pay and conditions, making roads safer for everyone. #SafeRatesSaveLives

The ITF opposes the US military invasion carried out against Venezuela and stands in solidarity with Venezuelan affiliated union, Federación Bolivariana de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras del sector Transporte, Afines y Conexos, and the Venezuelan people 🇻🇪 www.itfglobal.org/en/news/itf-...

💪🏿 Building worker power in the Port of Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire 🇨🇮 ITF Affiliate UCR-CI, are organising truck drivers to improve working conditions and safety on the roads. #SafeRatesSaveLives #WeMoveTheWorld

✈️ Unions must have a say in PIA’s future. The ITF is calling on the Government of Pakistan to halt PIA’s privatisation after unions. Privatising without worker consultation puts jobs, safety and the airline’s stability at risk. Full story 👇 tribune.com.pk/story/258299...

Over 100 delegates from 9 ITF affiliates gathered at the Nigerian ITF NCC Symposium to address civil aviation privatisation & transport sector concessions.

Last week, @btb-abvv.bsky.social were organising across truck stops in Belgium on #TruckDriverDay Truck drivers face low wages, long days, unsafe parking and a lack of facilities. Fair pay and fewer hours improves the lives of truck drivers and makes roads safer for everyone. #SafeRatesSaveLives

We condemn the appalling terror attack at Bondi Beach in the strongest terms. Echoing our President, Paddy Crumlin, we stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and all those affected. We reject antisemitism, hatred and violence in all its forms.

⚓ Seafarers are civilians — not targets. ITF condemns the latest drone attack in the Black Sea. Whatever the politics or the flag, endangering seafarers is unacceptable. All parties must uphold international law and protect civilian seafarers. www.itfglobal.org/en/news/itf-...

🇳🇿⚓️ Union win for New Zealand seafarers The NZ Government rejected a foreign-flagged vessel’s bid to replace a New Zealand-crewed ship - safeguarding domestic maritime jobs. ✅ Local jobs protected ✅ NZ laws upheld ✅ Stronger supply chain resilience www.itfglobal.org/en/news/vict...

🇱🇰 Support transport workers in Sri Lanka. Severe floods and landslides have destroyed homes, cut off communities and left many workers without livelihoods. ITF’s Sri Lanka Disaster Fund is helping affected workers and families rebuild. Please donate if you can👇 www.itfglobal.org/en/campaigns...

Today on #HumanRightsDay, we mark the launch of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035). 🚍🚆🚢✈️ Transport is not just about moving goods and people – it’s about moving the world towards rights, equality and justice. (1/5)

Hong Kong Should Immediately Release Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan. ✍️ A joint NGO statement on Human Rights Day with @uniglobalunion.org @ituc.bsky.social @psiglobalunion.bsky.social @ifjglobal.bsky.social Education International BWI @industriall-union.org www.itfglobal.org/en/news/hong...

No worker should feel unsafe on their way to work. The ITF believes that when transport workers are commuting, they should always be treated as being “at work”. It’s time for workplaces to adopt real, gender-responsive safety standards that protect them end-to-end. #16DaysOfActivism #RatifyC190

🇨🇷 🇧🇩 Costa Rica and Bangladesh have ratified C190! This is a big win for workers in the countries, especially for transport workers, who are among the most exposed to violence and harassment and often work in isolated or insecure conditions. #RatifyC190 #ThisIsOurWorldToo

✈️ 🇷🇸 The @etf-europe.bsky.social is calling for urgent action after two union leaders representing Serbia’s air traffic controllers were unlawfully dismissed for leading a lawful strike. Please support their petition and stand in solidarity👇 www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaig...

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Ole Philipsen, Chair of ITF Offshore Task Force and a long-standing member of the ITF’s Fair Practices Committee. We remember Ole for his leadership, his humanity and his unwavering belief in workers’ rights. www.itfglobal.org/en/news/ole-...

India’s Directorate General of Shipping has blacklisted 86 vessels linked to abuse, unpaid wages, unsafe conditions and repeated detentions. This comes as seafarer abandonment reaches crisis levels — with 2,648 cases across 259 vessels in 2025. maritimefairtrade.org/india-moves-...

In what could be a consequential case for the future of collective bargaining & social partner autonomy in the EU, @itfglobalunion.bsky.social, FNV & Nautilus seek corrective action from Dutch Ct of Appeal before matter referred to @eucourtofjustice.bsky.social. 1/5 www.itfglobal.org/en/news/itf-...

RMT is demanding urgent action: ⚖️ Standalone offence for assaulting transport workers 👮 Restore BTP policing levels 👷 End unsafe lone working & Driver-Only Operation #ActionAgainstAssaults www.mylondon.news/news/transpo...

The ITF, together with @nautilusint.org 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) www.itfglobal.org/en/news/itf-...