Jakarta: Indonesia’s Seafarer Union, Kesatuan Pelaut Indonsia (KPI), has agreed to join the Maritime International Federation (MIF). The alliance was agreed today at a formative meeting in Kupang, Indonesia.
MIF consists of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and Papua New Guinea Maritime and Transport Worker’s Union (PNGTWU).
The meeting also agreed the official launch date of the MIF at the beginning of the next financial year.
“One of the major growth areas for jobs is the Asia Pacific and the international trade union movement hasn’t been able to keep up with this growth,” said Paddy Crumlin, President of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and National Secretary of MUA, at the meeting.
“We need a new model and a federation of like-minded unions is one of the ways we can change the old, tired model to build capacity and drive membership.”
The Maritime International Federation (MIF) aims to bring together unions with similar intentions in order to secure jobs for local maritime workers to ensure wealth created in the region is benefiting local communities. [07/10/14]
