Seafarer & Docker ITF Activists Meet in Casablanca

The ITF (International Transport Workers Federation) gives a voice to a new generation at a new style 'Maritime Round Table' (MRT) conference in Morocco.

The MRT, is a groundbreaking three day activists’ forum being held 25 - 27, September 2012 to build links between dockers’ and seafarers’ unions and help shape the future of the ITF’s campaigning on flags of convenience. Alongside the over 200 activists and future union leaders from 50 countries attending there will be a host of virtual participants who can join the debates via the internet and live online reporting of the event at www.dockers-seafarers.org/event/maritime-roundtable.  A new website – www.dockers-seafarers.org – has been created to support the event and build on its achievements.

ITF maritime coordinator Steve Cotton commented: “The MRT is a new initiative that has sprung from the ongoing review of our flag of convenience campaign. As part of that review we decided, in consultation with all of the seafarers and dockers in the ITF, that it was crucial to have a look at our policy and how we implement it.
 
“The MRT is a vehicle for bringing together the people who don’t usually get an opportunity to come to ITF policy meetings, so that they can come up with creative ideas and explore methods of campaigning that will ensure that the FOC campaign is as valid today as it was 60 years ago.”

He concluded: “Holding such a high profile event in Morocco, hot on the heels of the ITF worldwide inspectors’ seminar, is also allowing us to take the case of the unjustly imprisoned union leader Said Elhairech to the heart of the Moroccan government and judiciary. We will be using our presence to assert his innocence and prove the need for his swift release.”