Road transport operators see 'perfect storm' in supply chain crisis

IRU represents 3.5 million transport companies.

Road transport operators—the backbone of global supply chains—are calling on governments for support to avoid bankruptcies and to stabilise the transport system as a whole, International Labour Organisation (ILO) said in a press release.

“The road transport sector, in particular truck drivers, has played a huge part in keeping the economy moving, and will certainly continue to do so,” said ILO director general Guy Ryder. “Governments must now do their part to ensure the sector has the decent working conditions needed to keep our supply chains open.”

“To tackle the crisis effectively governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and others involved in the road transport supply chain – shippers, receivers, transport buyers and intermediaries – will need to work together. The critical role played by these workers must be recognised and taken into account, including by public health authorities and border control agencies, in efforts to control the pandemic,” added Ryder.

In November, IRU issued an emergency call to governments to urgently address the supply chain crisis. “We need governments to act now to avoid delays and shortages of products through to the end of the year and into 2022,” said IRU secretary general Umberto de Pretto.

Asli Çalik, president of IRU’s Goods Transport Council, also expressed concern, as “supply chain disruptions are causing major issues every day in my region, at the crossroads of Eurasian and global trade, as in most other countries. Logistics companies are doing their best, but governments also need to act now to keep goods moving.”

“Transport workers have kept the world’s supply chains and people moving, despite the neglect by world leaders. They have worked through border closures, an inability to return home, a lack of access to healthcare, restrictive quarantine requirements and the complete uncertainty borne from government ineptitude. Frankly, they’ve had enough,” said Stephen Cotton, general secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which represents 19 million transport workers.

In September, a joint open letter sent to the United Nations made an urgent plea for a reinstatement of freedom of movement for transport workers.

It was signed by IRU, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)