The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has called on dockworkers across South Africa and Africa to join an international day of action against war and the militarisation of ports on 30 October.
The federation wants port workers to resist the use of shipping and transport infrastructure to move weapons and military equipment used in conflicts.
In a statement issued by general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, SAFTU urged its affiliated unions to discuss the Istanbul Declaration, adopted by dockworkers’ unions at an international meeting in May, and organise collective action at ports.
“Our ports and transport infrastructure must not be turned into instruments of military aggression, occupation or genocide,” the federation said.
SAFTU said workers should not be compelled to load or transport weapons and military cargo used to kill civilians and devastate communities.
The federation also called for an end to the genocide of Palestinians, occupation and apartheid, as well as wars and blockades that it said punish working people.
The international mobilisation extends beyond opposition to military shipments. Dockworkers’ unions have also raised concerns about unsafe workplaces, long working hours, subcontracting, insecure employment and low wages.
SAFTU said governments were spending billions on armaments while workers and poor communities faced rising prices and deteriorating living conditions.
It backed demands for safer working conditions, decent wages, secure employment, stronger collective agreements and a shorter working week.
The federation urged unions across Africa to strengthen cooperation between ports and resist the use of the continent’s infrastructure in wars.
“Our ports must serve the people and their needs, not the war plans and profits of the powerful,” it said.
The October 30 action follows an international dockworkers’ mobilisation in February and preparations for further coordinated action stemming from the Istanbul Declaration.
International unions have called for ports to be kept free from involvement in war and for public resources to be directed towards workers’ needs rather than military spending.
SAFTU’s statement did not specify which South African ports would participate or whether local unions had committed to strike action.
“Dockworkers do not work for war. We do not load death,” the federation said.
