On 30 October, more than a hundred ports worldwide are going on strike with the message — "Dockworkers Do Not Work For War" and "No Harbour for Genocide".
According to Reuters and Palestine Chronicle, workers at 113 ports across 22 countries are set to take action, from 24-hour strikes to two-hour work stoppages. It is the second International Day of Action after February 6, 2026 when 20 Mediterranean ports disrupted war cargo.
What is planned:
Originally called by dockworkers unions in Italy, France, Greece, Spain's Basque Country, Turkey and Morocco, now backed by more than 25 unions. Major hubs listed: Genoa, Piraeus, Valencia, Algeciras, Le Havre, Hamburg, Tangier Med in Morocco, and Nhava Sheva in India. Germany's http://ver.di, Ireland's SIPTU, Denmark's 3F and France's CGT Ports et Docks are among backers. Organizers estimate disruption of over 40% of Mediterranean cargo and $2 billion worth of freight snarled for a day — roughly 40,000 containers idle.
In Genoa, Piraeus announced stoppage 0800-1100 GMT. Italy's grassroots USB called a 24-hour general strike in 40+ cities the same day. Global Sumud Flotilla said it will undertake coordinated strategic actions on water.
India angle:
Indian companies have exported weapons and military material enabling the war in Gaza. Independent tracker No Harbour for Genocide notes between October 2023 and November 2025, 2,596 military shipments were sent from India to Israel — including explosives, propellant charges, and components.
Most of India's arms travel through 12 major ports — Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Chennai, Cochin, Visakhapatnam among them. The sector has been hollowed out through privatisation, contractualisation and unsafe conditions. According to Ministry of Ports data cited by The Wire, permanent employment at major ports decreased by more than 67% just between 2012 to 2024. Most jobs are now sub-contracted, with no job security, safety gear, or collective bargaining.
Handling military materiel such as TNT, ammunition and explosives puts workers at great physical risk. WTWFI said about 15 Indian seafarers died as a result of US-Israeli war with Iran in 2026 alone, many more stranded, highlighting costs of armed conflicts on maritime workers.
Indian unions joining:
Leadership of the Water Transport Workers Federation of India (WTWFI) and Forward Seamen Union of India (FSUI), affiliated to Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), have confirmed participation. According to updates till Oct 29 night, direct action would be undertaken in 15 Indian ports led by FSUI and WTWFI.
WTWFI has consistently opposed export of weapons for war and genocide. In February 2024, four months into the war on Gaza, it issued a statement that its members would boycott any ships carrying ammunition to Israel — first such statement by any Indian trade union. FSUI historically refused to handle war cargo during India-Pakistan wars in 1960s.
The demand under Istanbul Declaration of May 2026 by 35+ European dockworker unions: "Ports must not be used for transport of arms, ammunition, military equipment or troops destined for war zones." Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) in its 2025 Cry Before Death called for global days of rage.
This historic work stoppage would amount to 40,000 containers or $2 billion worth of cargo delayed or sitting idle for a day, per organizers. Impact in India may vary — legal restrictions and Essential Services laws mean work stoppage may be symbolic rallies at some ports, not full shutdowns, Reuters notes.
The rallying cry: "Ports for Peace — Jobs with Dignity" — linking anti-war action to demands for permanent jobs, safe workplaces, and right to refuse hazardous war cargo.
*Tags:* #DockworkersStrike #NoHarbourForGenocide #Gaza #WTWFI #FSUI #CITU #NhavaSheva #ArmsExports #CITU #PortsForPeace