‘Sri Lanka is a Union Country’, says global labour leader

ITF pledges expanded partnership with transport sector workers at Colombo Welfare Hub launch

In a landmark moment for Sri Lanka’s transport sector, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) unveiled The Palace—a brand new welfare facility for seafarers—while declaring its commitment to partner with the nation’s entire transport workforce.

ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton delivered a stirring message at the launch on March 20, hailing Sri Lanka as “a union country” with robust labour laws and a resilient worker-led culture; a rare endorsement from a global labour leader.

“I call Sri Lanka a union country because it’s a nation that takes pride in its labor laws and collective strength,” Cotton declared to a room of policymakers, shipowners, ship crews, ILO officials, women seafarers and maritime stakeholders.

“The ITF doesn’t just want to support seafarers—we’re here to partner with all transport workers, from railways to ports, to build a fairer future,” he said.

Located in central Colombo, The Palace—a collaboration between the ITF, its Seafarers Trust, and the National Union of Sri Lankan Seafarers (NUSS) —aims to transform the lives of maritime workers. The facility offers affordable lodging, family reunification spaces, counseling, and recreational resources for seafarers transitioning to and from grueling voyages.

Boa Athu, President of NUSS called it a “long-overdue sanctuary” for workers who sustain Sri Lanka’s economy through foreign remittances.

Cotton emphasized the timing of the launch amid global instability: “We’re in turbulent times—geopolitical shifts, climate crises, and economic uncertainty. But here, Sri Lanka’s unions have shown what solidarity can achieve. He noted NUSS’s growth from 7 to 30,000 members, calling it a “phenomenal” model for worker empowerment.

The ITF’s vision extends far beyond the docks. Cotton revealed he had met with railway workers the day prior, signaling broader ambitions.

Transport workers were the lifeblood of the global economy linking supply chains and keeping the world moving, and they were vital to successfully responding to the challenge of Covid-19. We mustn’t forget the risks that transport workers faced on the frontlines. Now, we must ensure they’re shielded from crises like climate change,” he said, framing the climate emergency as a “workers’ crisis” requiring urgent re-training for green energy transitions.

ITF General Secretary, Stephen Cotton unveils The Palace, in Colombo on March 20.

With partnerships spanning the UN Global Compact and International Maritime Organization, the ITF plans a Singapore forum to accelerate fossil fuel phase-outs.

“Seafarers here are already training for new energy technologies—but placing them in jobs remains a challenge,” Cotton admitted.

Referencing global political volatility—including U.S. leadership shifts—Cotton stressed the need for “predictable” worker alliances like the ITF. He praised Sri Lanka’s push to grow its maritime economy, including government plans to boost container capacity and recruit women into skilled and rewarding roles.

“The Palace isn’t just a building—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when unions, governments, and global partners unite,” Cotton said. “Sri Lanka’s workers are its economy. Safeguarding their wellbeing isn’t charity—it’s strategic,” he said.

As the ITF expands collaborations in Brazil, Mexico, and beyond, Sri Lanka’s transport sector stands at a crossroads. The Palace offers immediate relief for seafarers, but Cotton’s message signals a larger ambition: positioning the island as a beacon of worker solidarity in an unstable world.

For Sri Lanka’s 30,000-strong NUSS members—and thousands more in railways, ports, and tourism—the call is clear: the fight for fair conditions is now a global alliance.

By Sanath Nanayakkare