Site search

Together we are strong!

+38 (050) 336 44 57 office@mtwtu.org.ua
Need help?

International Transport Workers'
Federation

Daily, the transport workers move the world forward, connecting millions of people in cities and countries, playing a key role in the development of the economy and the formation of society.

700
Affiliated trade unions
16.5 M
Transport
workers
150
Countries
worldwide

ITF is a global union federation

It represents transport workers worldwide. The ITF was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in London, UK. Through active campaigns in cooperation with affiliated unions at national, regional, and global levels, the ITF daily makes a significant contribution to the development of the transport sector.

  • Protection of workers' rights

    Advocates for workers' rights, promotes equality principles, and ensures compliance with international standards

  • Improvement of working conditions

    Leads international campaigns aimed at ensuring decent and safe working conditions

  • Support for women and youth

    Promotes addressing specific challenges faced by women and young workers

ITF represents the interests of
transport sector workers

Maritime sector

Seafarers, their unions, and the shipping industry know the International Transport Workers' Federation for its active work to eliminate seafarers' exploitation and its campaign against Flags of Convenience (FOC). A mirror campaign, against Ports of Convenience (POC), aims to protect the labour rights and interests of port workers.

Contact an ITF inspector

Possible with the following requests/issues:

  1. Non-payment of wages

    Assistance in obtaining payments stipulated by the seafarer’s employment contract

  2. Violation of employment contract terms

    Handling individual and collective appeals from seafarers related to violations of employment terms

  3. Repatriation

    Providing consultations and assistance on issues related to timely or early disembarkation from the vessel, repatriation

  4. Medical assistance

    Consultative support regarding the conditions for providing medical assistance as per the seafarer’s employment contract during their work

  5. Consulting on contract terms

    Providing comments on the seafarer’s employment contract provided for signing

  6. Vessel inspection upon request

    Reporting on the working conditions recorded on the ship offered to the seafarer for employment

MTWTU - The only maritime member organization of ITF in Ukraine

Since 1993, PRMTU has been the voice of Ukrainian seafarers in the International Transport Workers’ Federation.

More details

ITF inspector can:

  • Conduct inspections of vessels for violations of employment contracts, flag state legislation, or international regulations
  • Communicate with crew members on board and ashore, record, process, and resolve seafarers’ complaints
  • Address the shipowner regarding onboard conditions and exert pressure to resolve issues
  • Advise seafarers and provide assistance (including during strikes), offer recommendations on legal options for resolving specific issues in a port or country
  • The inspector can establish contact with the ITF union, third-party organizations, clergy, and recommend a lawyer for legal action
  • Promote the conclusion of ITF standard collective agreements on vessels
  • Collaborate with other ITF inspectors, unions, and stakeholders in other countries
  • Maintain communication with flag state authorities, embassies, and seafarer welfare agencies during the resolution of labor disputes

ITF inspector cannot:

  • Violate national legislation or engage in any illegal actions
  • Modify or violate ITF policies or those of its member unions
  • Act against the interests of the union they work for
  • Always have access to a vessel or terminal
  • Resolve an issue without the crew’s cooperation
  • Guarantee that seafarers will not lose their jobs
  • Employ a seafarer
  • Perform miracles

Vessel inspections

ITF inspectors daily inspect vessels entering their ports to ensure seafarers receive fair wages, proper working and living conditions, and compliance with ITF standard collective agreements on board

Currently, this network includes
140+
Inspectors and contact persons
120+
Ports
57
Countries

Communicate or collaborate with us

Official chatbot

Mobile phone

Our address

Arcadian Plateau, 5B, Premises 1, Odesa, Ukraine, 65062

Email

office@mtwtu.org.ua
  • Cooperation
  • Membership
  • Need assistance
  • Partnership

Thank you for contacting us!