05/06/2026
In the run up to the Congress of the Профспілка робітників морського транспорту України - ПРМТУ next week, the ETF was honoured to participate in the conference of the Local Black Sea Transport Union of Seafarers (LBSTUS) / Локальна чорноморська профспілкова організація моряків (ЛЧПОМ) — MTWTU’s largest local trade union organisation.
Speaking at the conference, ETF Head of Maritime Transport Josef Maurer expressed the solidarity of the ETF’s 5 million transport workers with Ukrainian seafarers and transport workers. He underlined the courage of trade unionists in Ukraine, where defending workers’ rights is not only about risking your job, but sometimes your life. Josef also highlighted the growing pressures facing seafarers worldwide. Recent research commissioned together with the World Maritime University shows that seafarers work on average nearly 75 hours per week — far beyond what is considered decent working time — while many protections available to land-based workers still do not apply at sea. As the maritime sector undergoes rapid technological and environmental transformation, ETF stressed the urgent need for investment in skills, training, recruitment and retention. Without decent working conditions, fair wages, safety and respect for collective bargaining, the future of maritime transport is at risk. The ETF also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukrainian unions throughout the EU accession process and ensuring that Ukrainian seafarers have a strong voice in shaping the future of maritime labour in Europe. Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Conference took place simultaneously in Chisinau and Odessa, connected through a livestream.
We warmly congratulate Oleg Grygoriuk, Chair of MTWTU, on his re-election as Chair of LBSTUS.
“𝘈 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴’ 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦.”
Слава Україні! Героям слава!
