The following statement was issued by the Water Transport Workers Federation of India in February this year, setting an example to organised workers everywhere.
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To whomsoever it may concern
The Water Transport Workers Federation of India, representing more than 3,500 workers at the 11 major ports in the country, has decided to refuse to load or unload weaponised cargoes from Israel or any other country which could handle military equipments and its allied cargo for war in Palestine.
We the port workers, part of labour unions, would always stand against the war and killing innocent people like women and children. The recent attack of Israel on Gaza plunging thousands of Palestinians into immense suffering and loss. Women and children have been blown to pieces in the war. Parents were unable to recognise their children killed in bombings which were exploding everywhere.
At this juncture our union members have collectively decided to refuse handling all types of weaponised cargoes. Loading and unloading these weapons helps provide organisations with the ability to kill innocent people.
Therefore we, the Indian port and dock workers from various major ports active in the ground of cargo handling sector, call on our members to no longer handle any ships which carry military material to Palestine/Israel.
We therefore also call for an immediate ceasefire. As the responsible trade unions, we declare our solidarity with those who campaign for peace. We call upon the workers of the world and peace-loving people to stand with the demand of free Palestine.
T Narendra Rao
General Secretary
