As dockworkers trade unions we signed the declaration “Dockworkers Don’t Work for War” in Genoa on September 26th, and we reaffirm the continued relevance of the commitments contained in this document. These include demands to end the genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel, openly supported by its allies, the USA, NATO and the EU; to open stable humanitarian aid corridors; to reject the EU Re-Arm plan; and to claim European and Mediterranean ports as ports of peace.

The genocide is still ongoing, as are many other wars, while it is now clear that the re-arm plan is calling for the militarization of ports and strategic infrastructure necessary for war preparations

These rearmament plans are welcomed by shipowners and terminal operators, as they enable a strong push toward automation, a reduction in employment and an erosion of trade union freedoms.

The war economy is cutting dockworkers’ wages, rights, and health and safety protections, including reduced working hours.

Sharing the determination to reject any complicity by port workers in the transport of weapons and war materials and to express our strong opposition to the consequences of the war economy, the trade unions launch a firm call for an International Day of Action and Struggle on February 6th, 2026.

On that day, dockworkers across Europe and the Mediterranean will demonstrate and strike together, using every form of action:

  • to ensure that European and Mediterranean ports are places of peace and free from any involvement in war;
  • to block all arms shipments from our ports to the genocide in Palestine as well as to any other war zones, and to demand a trade embargo on Israel by local governments and institutions;
  • to oppose the EU Re-Arm plan and to stop the EU and European governments’ imminent plan to militarize ports and strategic infrastructures;
  • to reject rearmament plans as a gateway to further privatization and automation of ports and to oppose the effects of the war economy on our wages, rights and health and safety conditions.

The signatory organizations forward this appeal to all European and Mediterranean and international port trade unions that share these concerns, calling on them to join this day of protest. This mobilization must be as participatory, open, and inclusive as possible, to forcefully affirm that:

“Dockworkers do not work for war!”

This call has been joined by:

  • USB Ports from Italy, Enedep Greece, ODT – Organization Democratique du Travail Morocco – Liman-Is from Turkey – LAB from Euskadi

Any other organisations from other ports willing to join the international day of action are requested to confirm their participation by contacting the organization firmatory.