Federation of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria (FTTUB) as a member of International Transport workers’ federation (ITF) takes action on International Workers’ Memorial Day. FTTUB supports ITF’s container safety campaign started on 9th of October as a part of ITF Action week. This particular attention is due to the seriousness of this problem which affects workers in ports, maritime, road and rail transport and poses threats to them, the public and the environment. Containers are the most common method for freight and much of road accidents are due to improper packaging, weighing and transport, including the transport of dangerous goods.

As an initiative within the ITF campaign, on 28 April FTTUB held a meeting with the dockers at the port of Varna. The leader of FTTUB’s trade union at Varna- East port, Timka Filcheva, presented The Code of Practice on Packing Cargo Transport Units. The dangers of fumigation, toxic gases and container safety were discussed with dockers, and the checklist on gases in containers leaflets distributed, along with other campaign materials.

In Sofia, a requiescat service was held in “St. Ap. Andrei Parvozvaniy” church for those transport workers who became victims of workplace casualties in 2014.

In support of its activities at national level, FTTUB sent a letter to the Minister of transport, information technology and communications, requesting that a meeting of the Sectoral Council for Tripartite Cooperation be held on 28 April. At the last moment, the meeting was postponed due to the urgency of another meeting today – the sectoral council for rail.

Back in October 2014, FTTUB reached an agreement with the Ministry to work in cooperation on the issue of container safety. We informed them of the ITF position and the forthcoming adoption of the ILO/ IMO/ UNECE Code of Practice. Our next step is presenting the Code to the Ministry, lobbying for its swift incorporation into Bulgarian legislation.