Russia designates ITF an ‘undesirable organisation’ 

The Office of the Russian Federation Prosecutor General has declared the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) an “undesirable organisation” on grounds that the ITF’s activities “pose a threat to the constitutional order of the Russian Federation”. 

The trade union has refuted the rationale upon which the prosecutor’s office appears to have made its decision to designate ITF as an undesirable organisation. 

This designation will have significant ramifications for the 1.65m Russian transport workers affiliated to the ITF at the time this designation was announced, and particularly for the almost 200,000 Russian seafarers – a significant proportion of whom sail on ships covered by ITF-approved collective agreements.  

The ITF has continued to support Russian seafarers throughout the war with Ukraine, not only the many seafarers who benefit daily from the protections guaranteed under ITF agreements, but also those who have sought and received assistance from the ITF in the recovery of millions in owed wages and the repatriation of abandoned seafarers. Since January 2022, 11,405 Russians seafarers have been onboard vessels that ITF has inspected with ITF Inspectors recovering almost $4m in owed wages on those vessels.The ITF said in a release it continues to treat Russian seafarers the same as any other seafarer seeking our assistance and support.  

The union’s solidarity fund for Ukrainian transport workers and their families has been used solely for humanitarian purposes, the ITF stressed, with funds provided to independent affiliated unions and maritime charities.  

“We continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, Russia and neighbouring countries calling for peace, dialogue and diplomacy,” the union stated.