The International Road Transport Union (IRU), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) have urged national governments and UN agencies to ensure the free movement of transport workers.
The appeal of transport associations is filed at a time when delays in deliveries and shortages of essential goods are becoming a real problem around the world, writes Worldfootwear.com.
“Our collective industries account for over US $ 20 trillion in global trade annually and represent 65 million transport workers, over 3,5 million trucking and aviation companies, and over 80% of the world's merchant marine. Seafarers, crews and vehicle workers must be able to continue to do their jobs and cross borders to maintain supply chains. We ask heads of government to urgently take the leadership needed to end fragmented travel regulations and restrictions that have seriously impacted the global supply chain and jeopardized the health and well-being of our international transport workers, ”the open letter said.
Anticipating further delays in trade deliveries during the holiday season and in 2022, association leaders recall the vital mission of transport workers during the pandemic and the sacrifices that many of them have had to make because of the situation: “At the height of the crisis, 400 crew changes 000 seafarers could not leave their ships, some of them worked for 18 months beyond their original contracts. Flights were restricted and aviation workers faced inadequacies at borders, including vaccinations. Additional, systemic and unpredictable controls at road borders meant that thousands of truck drivers had to wait weeks in unsanitary conditions before they could complete their journey and return home.
The consequence of all these difficulties was a noticeable shortage of labor. It is expected that the outflow of personnel from the industry will continue, which will inevitably affect the implementation of logistics. The call for the lifting of travel bans and other restrictions is accompanied by a request to prioritize transport workers when receiving WHO-recognized vaccines, and to establish “globally harmonized, digital, mutually recognized vaccination certificates and processes to validate medical records (including vaccination status and outcomes). tests for COVID-19), which are of paramount importance to ensure that transporters can cross international borders. "
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