The International Transport Federation (ITF) and SIPTU are among the groups supporting the annual ‘Day of the Seafarer’ events in Dublin Port this Sunday (25th June), which celebrate the importance of the international maritime industry. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Seafarers Matter’. The events, which includes public tours of the port are being organised by the unions in conjunction with PortWalks.ie, Stella Maris, Mission to Seafarers and Dublin Port Company. The Dublin Port activity is one of a series of events being held in ports across the globe as part of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) co-ordinated ‘Day of the Seafarer’. ITF Inspector for Ireland, Michael Whelan, said: “The ITF and SIPTU, working closely with PortWalks.ie, Stella Maris and the Mission to Seafarers are delighted to participate in a global celebration of the importance of seafarers. This year, the focus of the Day of the Seafarer campaign is on highlighting that seafarers really do matter. “The events in Dublin Port have a special relevance to workers and unions. Dublin Port has been integral to the history of Dublin city since its foundation and remains the most important transport hub in Ireland. The port has a very long and rich trade union history. As the place where Big Jim Larkin first organised workers in Dublin it can also claim to be the birthplace of the modern trade union movement in Ireland.” He added: “The ‘Day of the Seafarer’ is an international celebration of the importance of the maritime industry. This year, as part of the ‘Seafarers Matter’ focus, the events are highlighting the co-operation between ports, their surrounding communities and the ships that utilise them. It is a day that will bring together port workers’ organisations and maritime administrators.”
ITF and SIPTU support ‘Day of the Seafarer’ events in Dublin Port on Sunday
