Georgia-Russia Conflict a Humanitarian Tragedy and a Threat to Broader Peace and Stability

12 August 2008

 ITUC/ETUC statement with the support of the ITF

The ITUC and the European Trade Union Confederation, backed by the ITF, have expressed their grave concerns at the escalation of the conflict between Georgia and Russia, its impact on civilians and the deepening threat to stability in the region.

"We call upon all parties involved to observe an immediate and total cease-fire, and enter negotiations to bring an end to the conflict and to resolve the underlying issues which have led to it," said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder.

Some 2,000 people are believed to have been killed in South Ossetia, and 100 or more in Georgia, with many more wounded.  Ten members of the Dockworkers' Union in the Georgian port of Poti are reported killed and
15 injured.  Tens of thousands of refugees are understood to have been displaced from South Ossetia and neighbouring areas, underlining the urgent need for a major humanitarian effort alongside peace talks.

ITUC affiliates in Russia (FNPR) and Georgia (GTUC) have both called on the international trade union movement to support efforts to put a stop to the fighting, and the ITUC is maintaining close contact with them.

"We are also appealing to the United Nations, to the European Union and to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to put their full weight behind the quest for a peaceful, negotiated end to this conflict," said Ryder.

A further joint ITUC-ETUC Statement can be found at www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article2344&lang=en

ENDS

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2
224 0210.

or

For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk

International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org

Back to current press releases