EU Port Directive vote ‘a major step forward’ says the ITF

By International Transport Workers' Federation -

'A major step forward' was the verdict of the International Transport Workers' Federation and its European arm the ETF on the European Parliament's decision (11 March) to amend - and effectively water down - the controversial EU Ports Directive.

By threatening to sanction the employment of unqualified workers to do the jobs of registered dockers, the proposed directive provoked the biggest ever strike action by more than 20,000 European port workers in January. Protests culminated in a huge demonstration in Strasbourg on Monday - part of a Europe-wide day of action - with more than 3000 port workers gathered outside the European Parliament building.

MEPs resisted attempts throw out the directive altogether. But under intense public and union pressure they adopted a number of amendments aimed at limiting its negative impact. One key amendment makes it much more difficult for 'ports of convenience' to be introduced because it obliges port users to seek prior authorisation from the competent authorities for all their activities.

Said Kees Marges, secretary of the ITF's Dock Workers' Section: "When this campaign against the directive first started in January 2001 we promised a major waterfront war in Europe. We've won a major battle but the war's not over yet." The European Parliament vote might not be accepted by the Council of Ministers, Kees Marges added. That was why ITF-affiliated port workers unions would now be urged to intensify the pressure on their Ministers of Transport at national level.

The ITF warns that the directive as it now stands still leaves the door open for seafarers to be used to handle cargo. Says Kees Marges: "Whatever directive is finally introduced the port workers and seafarers' unions will never accept that, and we will step up our long-running campaign against cargo handling by seafarers."

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