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The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and its unions plan to lobby European politicians, the European Union and other stakeholders about what ITF officials believe are dangers associated with current container practices. The issue will be the subject of an International Labor Organization (ILO) forum in Switzerland Feb. 21-22.

The ITF is participating in the ILO Global Dialogue Forum on "Safety in the Supply Chain in Relation to Packing of Containers," which it believes is the "first truly worldwide examination of the safety problems linked to overloaded, badly packed or inadequately secured freight containers, and those carrying [hazardous] goods," said ITF officials in a prepared statement.

"So far, best practice and self regulation have failed to stop the worst kind of incidents, and we're therefore recommending that international mandatory instruments be developed that guarantee that those handling and moving containers are informed of their weight, state of packing, stowage and securing, as well as their center of gravity and whether or not any fumigants or dangerous substances are present," said ITF General Secretary David Cockroft.