Global logistics organisations and unions have called on the world’s heads of government gathering at this week’s UN General Assembly to end what they see as a ‘global humanitarian and supply chain crisis’.
They want to see the restoration of freedom of movement to transport workers who have kept global trade flowing throughout the pandemic.
“It has taken a human toll. At the peak of the crew change crisis, 400 000 seafarers were unable to leave their ships, some working for as long as 18 months over their initial contracts,” says a spokesperson. “Flights have been restricted and aviation workers have faced the inconsistency of travel, restrictions and vaccine requirements. Additional systemic and unpredictable controls at road borders has meant truck drivers have been forced to wait, sometimes in their thousands, and for weeks, in unsanitary situations without proper facilities, before being able to complete their journeys and return home.”
The open letter, penned by the likes of Iata, the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers’ Federation, warns of, global transport system ‘collapse’.
They want to see transport workers given priority to receive WHO-recognised vaccines and have called for the creation of a standardised process for demonstrating health credentials.
All transport sectors are seeing a shortage of workers, and expect more to leave as a result of the poor treatment millions have faced during the pandemic, putting the supply chain under greater threat.
“Over the past 18 months, aviation workers have been amazingly resilient in keeping world trade lanes open. It’s been made unnecessarily challenging with uncoordinated, unharmonised, and sometimes conflicting Covid-19 measures implemented by governments. This is not sustainable, particularly as demand grows in the recovery. It’s time for the WHO and ILO to bring states together to agree a globally harmonised set of crew measures that will facilitate efficient global connectivity,” said Iata Director-General, Willie Walsh.
