SAFTU CALLS ON SOUTH AFRICAN AND AFRICAN DOCKWORKERS TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST WAR


The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) supports the Istanbul Declaration adopted by dockworkers’ unions at their international meeting in May 2026. Its message is clear: dockworkers must not be made a link in the chain of war. 

SAFTU calls on dock, harbour and port workers and their unions in South Africa and across Africa to join the International Day of Action against War and the Militarisation of Ports on 30 October 2026. We urge our affiliated unions to discuss the declaration with workers, build solidarity with dockworkers internationally, and organise collective action in our ports. 

Our ports and transport infrastructure must not be turned into instruments of military aggression, occupation or genocide. Workers should not be compelled to load or move weapons and military cargo used to kill civilians and devastate communities. We demand an end to the genocide of the Palestinian people, an end to occupation and apartheid, and an end to wars and blockades that punish working people.

The Istanbul Declaration also speaks directly to the conditions dockworkers face every day: unsafe workplaces, exhausting schedules, subcontracting, insecure jobs and low wages. While governments pour billions into armaments, workers and poor communities bear the cost through rising prices and deteriorating living conditions. We support the call for safe work, decent wages, secure jobs, strong collective agreements and a shorter working week.

SAFTU calls on workers and unions across Africa to strengthen cooperation between ports and to resist the use of our continent’s infrastructure in wars against working people. Our ports must serve the people and their needs, not the war plans and profits of the powerful.

Dockworkers do not work for war. We do not load death.

A statement was issued on behalf of SAFTU by the General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi.

For media inquiries, contact the National Spokesperson at
Newton Masuku
newtonm@saftu.org.za
0661682157


 Media Officer 
Asive Dyani
0719019564

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