https://linktr.ee/itffocaustralia

ITF FOC Campaign Australia, 365 Sussex Street, Sydney (2026)

19/03/2026

https://www.9news.com.au/national/billiondollar-co***ne-discovery-leaves-crew-members-stranded-in-sydney-harbour/34b20f90-9553-49a4-8d18-1547947cddce

The MV Raider was left drifting at sea following an alleged co***ne seizure, where, according to reports, the co***ne was “thrown into the sea.” Neither French Polynesian nor Cook Islands authorities arrested any members of the crew. In the aftermath, the crew were left stranded without adequate food, with limited water, and with insufficient fuel. Conditions that raise serious concerns under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
Today, those same seafarers face detention far from home, separated from their families, uncertain about what comes next, and caught in a system they did not create.
These are working people. Fathers. Sons. Breadwinners.
They came to sea to earn a living, not to become casualties of a global industry built on shifting responsibility and minimising accountability.
We understand that the detention is expected to be for the purpose of repatriation.
We expect that the process will ensure fair treatment and due process while the Australian Border Force arrange for the crew to be returned home to their families.
The ITF will be closely monitoring the situation and will assess whether further assistance, including legal representation, is required should any additional matters arise during the detention process.
But this case once again highlights a much bigger issue.
Too often, seafarers working under Flags of Convenience (FOC) are placed in vulnerable positions created by international corporate structures designed to minimise accountability and maximise profit. When systems fail, it is rarely the corporations or beneficial owners who face consequences. It is the crew.
Seafarers should never become collateral damage in a global shipping system built to shield responsibility.
The ITF will continue to ensure that seafarers are treated fairly, repatriated safely, and supported throughout this process.
⚓ No seafarer should stand alone.
Americas ITF - International Transport Workers' Federation ITF Americas ITF Arab World ITF Women ITF Asia Pacific - International Transport Workers' Federation ITF Wellbeing ITF Wellbeing Maritime Union of Australia - MUA Maritime Union of Australia - Newcastle Branch Maritime Union of Australia - WA Branch MUA Geelong Branch Maritime Union of Australia - Tasmanian Branch Maritime Union of Australia SA Branch Maritime Union of Australia - QLD Branch Maritime Union of New Zealand Tony Burke MP Catherine King

13/03/2026

🌏⚓ Strengthening Solidarity in Fiji

Last month, ITF Inspector Dan Crumlin travelled to Fiji as part of the ongoing Fiji Water Campaign, continuing the work to support seafarers and strengthen relationships across the region.

Dan was joined by Asif Altaf (ITF Mental Health Representative), Jake Blenkinsop from Hunterlink, Scott McDine (ITF Asia Pacific Coordinator), and Justin Timmons (MUA Safety & Training) for a week of engagement with maritime workers and stakeholders.

During the visit the team:
• Met with ITF affiliates and rank-and-file members
• Visited vessels, including a Fiji Water ship
• Spoke directly with dock workers and port stakeholders
• Worked with Port State Control on compliance matters
• Rectified MLC issues, including concerns around food and shore leave
• Delivered a First Responders in Stress Management course to support worker wellbeing

The visit reinforced the strength of international solidarity and the importance of collaboration between unions, inspectors, welfare providers and regulators.

We look forward to continuing this work alongside our partners in Fiji to ensure seafarers and maritime workers are treated with dignity, fairness and respect. ✊⚓

Asia Pacific - International Transport Workers' Federation
ITF - International Transport Workers' Federation Maritime Union of Australia - MUA

12/03/2026

Carnival cannot claim to be “home porting” their ships in Australia and benefiting from Australian ports while taking deliberate steps to sit outside Australian law.

If there was nothing wrong on board, why prevent a government official from boarding to carry out a safety inspection?

We say that employers doing the wrong thing have nowhere to hide — yet Carnival appears to be doing everything it can to hide from scrutiny. ⚓

Maritime Union of Australia - MUA ITF - International Transport Workers' Federation

11/03/2026

Modern slavery risks in seafood supply chains

Last week in Canberra, the ITF Network Coordinator for the Region attended the launch of a new report by Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Uniting Church examining modern slavery risks in tuna supply chains connected to Australia.

The research outlines serious concerns, including debt bo***ge, wage withholding, recruitment fees, long periods at sea without leave, and weak oversight in parts of the Indonesian fishing sector. These are the same patterns the ITF continues to see across maritime cases throughout our region.

The Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s office was present, with discussion focusing on what Australia must do next. While reporting under the Modern Slavery Act has improved transparency, stronger enforcement and due diligence are clearly the next step. Calls were also made for tighter import controls, greater supply chain transparency, and stronger investigative capacity.

Australia is a major seafood importer. Responsibility doesn’t stop at the water’s edge.

Modern slavery at sea is not someone else’s problem — the policy decisions made in Australia matter.
ITF Asia Pacific - International Transport Workers' Federation ITF - International Transport Workers' Federation Maritime Union of Australia - MUA ITF Women ITF Wellbeing

08/03/2026

🌍⚓ International Women’s Day

Today we celebrate the women who keep the maritime industry moving, both at sea and on shore.

From seafarers and dock workers to inspectors, organisers, welfare workers and union members, women continue to play a vital role in protecting workers’ rights across the global shipping industry.

But the reality is that women in maritime still face significant barriers - from underrepresentation and discrimination to harassment and unsafe working conditions.

The Australian ITF inspectorate remains committed to building a safer, fairer industry, where women can work with dignity, respect, and equal opportunity.

Today we celebrate the strength, resilience, and leadership of women across our movement, and reaffirm our commitment to the work still ahead.

✊ Solidarity with women across the maritime world on the day that internationally recognises your challenges, your successes, and your contributions.

ITF Women ITF Wellbeing Asia Pacific - International Transport Workers' Federation Maritime Union of Australia - WA Branch Maritime Union of Australia - MUA Maritime Union of Australia - Victoria Branch

06/03/2026

🚢 Shore Leave Is a Right — Not a Privilege

For more than 12 months, seafarers on multiple vessels were subjected to blanket restrictions on shore leave — effectively denying them the basic right to step ashore and disconnect from life at sea.

Shore leave is a fundamental protection under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and is essential for seafarers’ wellbeing after long periods onboard.

This week, ITF Inspectors in Australia worked alongside AMSA to challenge these practices and uphold seafarers’ rights. As a result, deficiencies were issued under the MLC, leading to the lifting of restrictions and the restoration of shore leave access.

For hundreds of seafarers, this has meant the end of conditions many described as a “prison sentence” at sea.

No seafarer should be denied their basic rights. The ITF will continue to take action wherever standards are ignored. ⚓

ITF - International Transport Workers' Federation ITF Wellbeing ITF Asia Pacific - International Transport Workers' Federation ITF Arab World ITF Americas ITF Seafarers' Support ITF the Netherlands ITF Delhi office Maritime Union of Australia - NT Branch MUA Geelong Branch Maritime Union of Australia - MUA Maritime Union of Australia - WA Branch Maritime Union of Australia - Newcastle Branch Maritime Union of Australia - QLD Branch Maritime Union of Australia - Tasmanian Branch Australian Maritime Safety Authority - AMSA

23/02/2026

⚓ Standing Up for Abandoned Seafarers 🌍

Last week, Ian Bray, ITF Coordinator in Australia, and Sandra Bernal, ITF Asia-Pacific Network Coordinator, attended the conference hosted by the Mission to Seafarers Australia in Adelaide.

As part of an expert panel, Ian and Sandra tackled one of the most urgent issues facing maritime workers globally: seafarer abandonment — when crews are left stranded without wages, food, or repatriation. 🚢

They unpacked the complex reality behind these cases, which often extend far beyond individual shipowners and can involve flags of convenience and serious failures in the financial security systems meant to safeguard seafarers. The discussion also highlighted the vital work of the ITF Inspectorate in recovering unpaid wages, securing essential supplies, and ensuring crews are safely brought home. ✊

The conference brought together leading voices in seafarer welfare, reinforcing a powerful message: protecting maritime workers requires strong collaboration across the entire industry. Together, we strengthen the safety, dignity, and rights of seafarers worldwide. 💙

Mission to Seafarers Australia ITF - International Transport Workers' Federation ITF Women

20/02/2026

Adelaide was busy this week! ⚓️

After a week of theory and training, our team hit the ground running — inspecting 12 ships and putting their new skills into action. Cabotage and Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) issues were high on the agenda, with plenty of real-world learning on the docks.

We were proud to welcome an incredible line-up of guest presenters who shared their expertise and experience:
• Asif Altaf (Mental Health Advocate from ITF London)
• Catherine Linley (AMSA)
• Ian Bray (ITF Coordinator Australia)
• Matt Purcell (Training lead and Assistant ITF Coordinator Australia)
• Dan Crumlin (NSW Inspector)
• Sandra Bernal (Network Coordinator ITF Asia Pacific)

With 20 volunteers taking part across the week, the energy, commitment and solidarity on display was inspiring. This is what strengthening the inspectorate and standing up for seafarers looks like 💪🌍 ITF - International Transport Workers' Federation ITF Seafarers' Support ITF Americas ITF Arab World ITF Asia Pacific - International Transport Workers' Federation Maritime Union of Australia - MUA Maritime Union of Australia SA Branch Wellbeing Australian Maritime Safety Authority - AMSA

18/02/2026

We’re proud to sponsor MUA member and Brisbane wharfie Che “The Fight Mum” Kenneally as she defends her WBA Light Heavyweight World Championship in Detroit on 22 February 🥊

Che is a working-class mum and waterside worker from the Port of Brisbane who carries trade union values into the ring, representing transport workers everywhere and the ITF family is firmly in her corner.

If you’re in Detroit, come stand in solidarity on the night. If you can’t attend, watch the bout on DAZN and send Che your messages of support on support on social media 💙

Check out the video below to hear more of Che's story!
https://youtu.be/kboNqfof95w?si=Hq9kOcA-yCDzIApT

Maritime Union of Australia - MUA ITF Women ITF - International Transport Workers' Federation Maritime Union of Australia - QLD Branch

10/02/2026

"Now that the light is being shed on the cruise ship industry, we wonder what else will be found" - Ian Bray ITF Australia Coordinator

30/01/2026

The campaign to secure collective agreements for the seafarers working on Carnival Cruise ships is well under way. It’s time to end the exploitation and company’s authoritarian arrogance on determining whether or not their crews are entitled to collectively bargain. Collective bargain is a right of all workers under the ILO conventions.

It’s time that the Australian Federal Government put an end to exempting Carnival and other cruise ship companies from the Coastal Trading Act (and the Fair Work Act) and gave access to the seafarers to claim Australian wages when working in Australia.

To continue with the exemption to our Federal laws only makes the Government complicit in the companies exploitative practices.

End the Coastal Trading Act exemption and restore the rights of seafarers to fair pay and employment conditions captured under collective agreements.

Cheap cruise fairs should not be subsidised on the back of misery of the workers that make these cruises possible and enjoyable.

ITF FOC Campaign Australia

19/03/2026

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11/03/2026

08/03/2026

06/03/2026

23/02/2026

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30/01/2026

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