The International Dockworkers Council (IDC) is an international nonprofit association formed by 92 organizations from 41 countries, with over 100,000 affiliated members. Our mission is to uphold labor standards that will improve the economic and social well-being of port workers around the world. IDC serves as an interlocutor to form fair and sustainable policies, and to promote best practices across the maritime industry.
IDC was officially founded on 27 June 2000, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain.
WHY AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION?
The current globalisation of the economy is leading to global markets and greater manpower flexibility. The aims of global companies seeking greater operating profit margins lead to deregulation of the port industry and constantly undermine previously won labour rights.
Ports, and port workers worldwide, are therefore facing a series of common problems. These include loss of jobs, a reduction in the quality of service, an increase in the risk of accidents, job insecurity, etc.
The trade union response to this situation has been to form the IDC, the only organisation capable of bringing together the different port dockworker groups and unions with a single voice on an international scale. Now, for the first time, dockworkers have their own organisation which understands their demands and concerns and can make these heard in international decision-making forums.