According to Madame Joëlle Mputu Meba, representing the ITF Coordination in the DRC, the situation in the East of the DRC, marked by ongoing armed conflict, was at the heart of the expressed concerns. With nearly 12 million deaths and over 6 million massive displacements of populations towards urban centers, the humanitarian crisis is worsening every day.

In total, six trade union organizations affiliated with the ITF have signed this joint statement. Specifically, these are "Actions"; "CSC-Transcom"; "Solidarité"; "Sytac"; "NDS" as well as "USA" working in the transport sectors, including civil aviation, lacustrine, land, and rail.

The National Coordination of ITF-DRC highlighted the disastrous consequences of this crisis, notably the increasing difficulty of carrying out trade union activities due to the loss of dues and the considerable economic losses in various sectors. Women and youth are especially vulnerable, being the primary victims of the war atrocities.

In their statement, the member organizations of the ITF-DRC have called on the Congolese government to implement all necessary means to end the war and the humanitarian crisis that has been raging for over 30 years. They issued a poignant call: "STOP. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF WAR IS TOO MUCH FOR THE CONGOLESE WORKERS, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN."

The international federation of transport workers (ITF) is an international organization founded in 1890, with its headquarters in London. It brings together nearly 18.000 million workers in 157 countries.

Cathy Ibandula