The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) filed a formal complaint against the Government of the Republic of Slovenia to the International Labour Organization (ILO) today, exposing its failure to protect seafarers from employer interference in trade union activity. 

The complaint to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) details how the International Seafarers’ Union (ISU), operating in close connection with a private company,  Lanibra, is undermining fundamental trade union rights, in breach of international law.  

The submission sets out evidence that the ISU is not an independent workers’ organisation and calls on the Government of the Republic of Slovenia to take urgent action. It explains that ISU is controlled by individuals acting on behalf of unscrupulous shipowners in order to undermine established seafarers’ labour rights.
 

A sham union built to serve employers 

The ITF’s complaint shows that: 

• The ISU and Lanibra were founded and operated by the same individuals, with overlapping leadership and functions. 
• Lanibra markets itself to shipowners as a consultancy that can deliver “tailor-made” agreements through ISU – agreements designed to meet company requirements, not workers’ interests. 
• Lanibra acts as an agent for employers while the ISU claims to represent seafarers – amounting to clear employer influence in a union, strictly prohibited by international law under Article 2 of ILO Convention 98L 

ITF Seafarers’ Section Chair, David Heindel, said: “It is plain to see that this sham union is breaking established international law on what trade unions are meant to be – this cannot be allowed to go on. This sham operation has already hit the pay and conditions of seafarers, to the benefit of the unscrupulous shipping companies it works with and the ISU-Lanibra leadership,” 
 

Failure of accountability 

The ITF argues that Slovenia has failed to uphold its obligations under ILO Convention 98 and the principles concerning freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, which guarantee workers’ organisations protection from employer interference.  

Despite repeated warnings from the ITF and concerns raised by ILO supervisory bodies, Slovenian authorities have so far failed to act.  

“The continuing existence of ISU-Lanibra is a direct attack on freedom of association and the right to genuine collective bargaining, for which seafarers are paying the price,” said ITF President Paddy Crumlin. 

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has no excuses not to act – it must immediately shut down this fake trade union operation, or else it places its entire credibility on trade union rights at risk.” 

What the ITF is calling for 

The ITF is urging the CFA to: 

• Find that Slovenia is in breach of Convention 98 
• Call for Slovenia to strip the ISU of its domestic registration  
• Require urgent legislative reform to prevent future employer interference in Slovenian unions