International Transport Workers' Federation - Coursework Example

Running Head: International Transport Workers’ Federation International Transport Workers’ Federation – History and Implications on International Trade [Author’s Name] [Institution’s Name] Introduction The International Transport Worker’s Federation (ITF) is the international organization for the transport workers that act as a platform where the workers of transport sector of different countries can raise voice on several issues and get their problems resolved (ITF Homepage, 2009). The federation manages wide range of matters related with the member workers of transport sector. The federations performs variety of functions and activities for its members like keeping them informed and update regarding the technology development in the field, solving the conflicts between the governments and the transporters and raising voice against different social and environmental dilemmas (David, 1994). The following essay aims to describe the history of International Transport Worker’s Federation and also discusses the implications of the organization to the international trade. History of International Transport Workers’ Federation The International Transport Worker’s Federation (ITF) was established in 1896. It was initially launched as the International Federation of Ship, Dock, and River Workers. In 1998 when it prolonged to incorporate with transport workers in non-maritime industries, its name was changed in to The International Worker’s Foundation. The organization deals with assorted exceptional conventions and associations of European seamen and railway men (Herbert et al, 1983). The federation was established in London and J. Havelock Wilson associated with NSFU became its director. Other major organizers of the federation include Ben Tillett and Tom Mann and Charles Lindley. These people work on different aspects of the organization of the federation matters and remained attached with it for several years. In 1904, the federation faced some financial problems due to which it moved to Germany from London. It was then organized under the secretary ship of the German railway men, which was lead by Herman Jochade, a German railway men’s leader. Under the direction of Jochade, the federation grew rapidly and positioned as a well established and organizational and monetary balance. However, during First World War the federation was get down and its association with trade unionists was broke. Fortunately Jochade had established a cooperated office in Netherland in 1914 which was a neutral place and this it remain safe from the aftermaths of the Second World War. The office of the federation in Germany was administrated by the Dutch Transport Federation (NVV). This federation was also shut down in 1915 and after four years its office was open in Amsterdam under the escritoire ship of Edo Fimmen, who was the joint secretary of the International Federation of Trade Unions and the Dutch trade union federation. (Pamborides, 1999) The federation again started working under the forceful guidance of Fimmen. His efforts result in flourishing growth and development of ITF and this time period has been spotted as a golden era in the history of the International Transport Worker’s Federation. In 1939, the federation was moved to England for the reason of forthcoming occurrence of war. Primarily it was settles for a momentary period in a war home in Bedford and after that it was moved to London where it finally settled down and the activities of the organizations were managed properly from this office. The International Transport Worker’s Federation has maintaining its credibility and sustainability ever since the end of Second World War from its foundation in London and holds in worldwide promotions on a variety of concerns (David, 1994). The major aims and objectives of the federation are decided in its constitution according to which the federation aims at promoting the respect for the trade unions as well as human rights all over the world. The federation also strives to propagate the message of peace that is attainable through social justice and economic development of the countries. One of the basic objectives of the organization is to help the affiliated unions in defending their interest at different forums and international organizations. The federation is also dedicated to provide general assistance to the transport workers whenever they face any type of difficulty (David, 1994). The ITF is currently the federation of more than 600 transport unions in more over 140 countries where almost 5 million workers are associated with the federation. The headquarters of the federation is currently located in London and it also has several offices in the major cities of different countries like Nairobi, Ouagadougou, Tokyo, New Delhi, Amman, Rio de Janeiro, Brussels, Georgetown (Guyana). Now days the federation systematizes workers in ships, ports, railways, road cargo and customer transport, inland waterways, fisheries, tourism and civil aviation. The organization works efficiently to keep its member update about any development that occurs in the transport industry whether in form of technology development or new rules and regulations implementations. The organization also plays an active role whenever an issue or conflict arises between the members of the federation with the government of any country (Pamborides, 1999). International Transport Workers’ Federation – Implications to International Trade The international transport workers’ federation has broad implications in the international trade. It is the global union of the workers that is allied with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) that establishes the linkage of ITF with the international trade operations. The transport operations always remain connected with the trade rules and regulations and hence, the transport federation is always supposed to respond to the changes occurred in the international trade scenario (Ernst, 1964). The liberalization of the international process has drawn direct impact upon the transport sector and hence the activities of ITF are also managed at international level in order to respond towards the transportation demands of the international trade. The liberalized trade scenario means more trade operations between the countries that result in more transportation of goods and services between the countries. This transportation occurs by air, sea and road and in all the cases, the transport sector witnesses increase in the volume of work due to increase trade volume (ITF Homepage, 2009). The situation calls for a proactive role of ITF because in the global perspective, the transportation workers play integral role in determining the successful delivery of goods and services from one place to another. Transportation has become a global industry and so the role of ITF also requires being of international standard to comply with the environment of global trade dealings. The increased manufacturing process all over the world due to increase trade volume demands active role of the transport sector. The manufacturing industry requires the services of the transport workers at the beginning of their work for the provision of the raw material and then they again need them for the delivery of the finished goods to the retailers or whole sellers. It shows that trade related activities directly affect the transport sector due to which the role of ITF also possesses great importance in the perspective of international trade (ITF Homepage, 2009). There are several issues that rose from the upgrading of the transportation at international level and ITF is supposed to deal with all these issues while remaining update on the related matters. The federation has to look towards the issue of the wages of the transport workers of different countries as compared with the international standard wages of the transport workers and have to work for the implication of uniform wages in the sector. ITF also act as an international trade union because it has powerful influence over the process of deciding and allocating the wages and working conditions of the particular group of the workers. The affiliations of ITF with the Flags of Convenience (FOCs) flying ships obliged the federation to act as an international trade union that negotiate with the owners on behalf of the ship crew. Thus, it is revealed from the above discussion that ITF has broader implications in to the international trade and the increased trade volume resulting from the liberalization of the global economy demands more active and strategic role of the International Transport Workers’ Federation. References David J. Walsh (1994), On different planes: an organizational analysis of cooperation and conflict among airline unions, Cornell University Press, 1994 Ernst B. Haas (1964), Beyond the nation-state: functionalism and international organization, Stanford University Press, 1964 Herbert Roof Northrup, Richard L. Rowan (1983), The International Transport Workers Federation and flag of convenience shipping, Wharton School. Industrial Research Unit ITF Homepage (2009), Retrieved July 14, 2009 from: http://www.itfglobal.org/about-us/index.cfm Pamborides, G. P. (1999), International shipping law: legislation and enforcement, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 1999 Read More