IUF launches global Seafood Workers Division

At a meeting in Accra, Ghana on September 10, the IUF officially launched its new Seafood Workers Division (SWD).

The new division will coordinate the activities of IUF affiliates in aquaculture, fish processing, and distribution. Its creation was mandated by the IUF's 28th Congress in Geneva in 2023, following earlier sectoral conferences in Oslo (2015), Rome (2018), and Reykjavik (2023).

During the meeting, delegates welcomed the establishment of the Africa regional seafood workers division, stressing the importance of a regional focus in advancing sectoral work. A work plan was also approved, which aims at strengthening union membership and building power within the seafood sector.

Jarle Wilhelmsen of NNN (Norway) was elected Chair of the new board, which represents IUF's regional organizations. Members also agreed to pursue a strategic global partnership with the International Transport Workers' Federation to enhance collaboration across supply chains.

The meeting was hosted by IUF affiliates GAWU and ICU and concluded with a visit to one of Ghana's largest tuna processing plants, located in the Tema Free Economic Zone.

"The seafood sector is vital not only for global food security and nutrition, but also as a key source of employment and income for millions of workers worldwide - building union power is critical to ensuring the sustainability of the sector and good labour standards of the workers," said Jarle Wilhelmsen, Vice President of NNN.