The International Transportation Workers’ Federation (ITF), a global federation led by a democratic affiliation, that has 670 workers unions in 147 countries, was recently holding an ITF 2023 Women Transportation Workers Conference in Saly, Senegal, on 25-27 September 2023. As an ITF member, that represents 18 million female and male workers in all transportation sectors, a representative from Koja Container Terminal (TPK Koja) also attended the conference. Following the representation of TPK Koja Workers Union (SP TPK Koja) in ITF agenda in Senegal, Africa.
“I am so proud to attend the ITF 2023 Women Transportation Workers Conference. I came here with 7 (seven) Indonesian female workers who are representing other transportation workers union, they are Pradita Ningrum, Gini Aristi Hardono, Eka Fitri Mulyani from SPKA (Serikat Pekerja Kereta Api), Jacquline Tunawanakotta from FSPBI (Federasi Serikat Pekerja Bandara Indonesia), Krisnadewi Luh Pasek from KPI (Kesatuan Pelaut Indonesia), and Ina Oktaviani from SPDT (Serikat Pekerja Dirgantara dan Transportasi). Ms. Enung Yani is a mentor,” said Susanti, a member of SP TPK Koja.
In the conference, Susanti, as a dock worker, explained several port services at TPK Koja, such as ship operations, field operations, and other operations.
Further explanation, the focus of the conference is on women’s issues in the transportation sector, including ending systemic exclusion and ending the violence against transportation women workers. Other priorities are to ensure technology costs that are introduced by developing gender equality and enhancing participation and leadership of women transportation workers in making a decision.
Other Indonesian workers unions, namely, SPKA asked about technology and toilet issues, SPDT talked about flood, and FSPBI asked about an unfair situation when a women worker is unable to work or is in menstruation period.
Santi continued, as known so far, there have been many constraints, one of them being the culture in the country that may hamper women from developing their skills. “We were discussing about several problems and looking for a solution,” she said.
Santi talked about one member (a woman) from Kenya that should leave home for work at 3:00 in the morning. Men are even afraid to leave for work at that hour as there’s no security guarantee. “I said that I am so lucky to work at TPK Koja. No shift hours for female workers. And we have pickup facilities such as a pick-up service from our office. At least, we feel secure,” she explained.
Santi also said the ITF 2023 Women Transportation Workers Conference yielded 15 recommendations, they are:
1. The conference has made recommendations that relate to several priorities for the next Congress.
2. ITF will recommit to prioritizing female transportation workers mobilisation and organization.
3. We ought to be proud of our achievements.
4. ITF will continue to stand against discrimination.
5. We will face entrenched sovereignty and control issues in our community and transportation industry culture.
6. Gender equality step-up is very important for the sector’s sustainability and tenacity.
7. We will manage these issues to strengthen and broaden the work program for female workers in the transportation sector.
8. The conference supports the global focus on cross-sectoral global demands.
9. An adequate integration assurance is essential to actualizing a strategy that would benefit women transportation workers.
10. The conference acknowledges gender comprehensive integration through a general transportation priority program (OPT).
11. There are several ITF’s main areas of work which are integral parts of giving maximum results for female transportation workers.
12. The ITF Women Transportation Workers Committee was given a mandate to support the ITF Women Department in developing and carrying out work programs to reach the main priority.
13. The work programs should consider the main considerations (thoughts) that relate to strategy plans and development.
14. The work programs should also cover several opportunities to strengthen the results globally and locally.
15. The report of women transportation workers enforcement development.
At the end of the conference, some women stood to pronounce their improvements about a workers union member who is in the parliament to fight for women, then a member who becomes a leader in her workers union, and a member from India who is no longer afraid to wear her hijab.
“We can fly as high as we want to. We are strong without giving up. So, if you are a woman, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and aspirate yourself that you are strong. I am a superwoman as a woman is the strongest kind in the world,” closed Santi.