In the afternoon, delegates engaged in sessions on four global cross-sector themes and learned about what ITF has been doing for the different implementations of the 2018–2024 Work Programme.

Firstly, on the Future of Work (FOW), Professor Randolph from the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi) and Dr Alex from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) reported on the FOW fieldwork research done across 13 countries in the Asia Pacific region. This fieldwork report supplements the ITF FOW programme that delivers support towards organising workers around technology issues, campaigning and policy priorities, and preparing for the future evolution of work while protecting jobs and strengthening working conditions.

The second session was focused on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). ITF aims to ensure all transport workers have the right to and access to a healthy and safe working environment. This includes sanitation and hygiene standards for transport workers at workplaces such as airports and train stations.

Sustainable Transport, the topic of the third session, was also one of ITF’s focuses, advocating for smarter cities and transport systems connected by publicly owned urban transport. The long-term goal is to build a just transition to a sustainable transport industry that improves conditions for transport workers and communities. This includes decarbonising transport by engaging governments and other multi-stakeholder initiatives. 

Finally, supply chain accountability. Looking at the entire network of supply chains, from warehousing, trucking, shipping, cargo handling, and more, the ITF wants stakeholders and businesses to adopt responsible and sustainable business models, improving labour and human rights standards in transportation supply chains.

Bringing the conference to a close were two formal and two emergency motions tabled for conference delegates to adopt. One of the motions was on the role of the National Coordinating Committees (NCCs) in Asia Pacific tabled by the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF), Associated Marine Officers’ & Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), Maritime Union of India (MUI), National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) and SMOU. The motion reaffirmed the importance of NCCs of ITF affiliates and increased the involvement of their NCCs in the different sub-regional groups to build knowledge and ownership of the 4 ITF Global themes.

The motion was carried by the delegates, along with a motion to support cooperation with global unions across the Asia-Pacific supply chain, an emergency motion to drop trumped-up charges against trade union leaders in the Philippines, and an emergency motion on safety and gender equality in the transport sector workplace.