Canadian dock workers to be fingerprinted for "security"

Port workers in Canada could soon be fired if they refuse to 
participate in intrusive new security checks, to be implemented 
as part of the federal government's proposed new transport 
security measures.

Around 10,000 dockworkers in the ports of Vancouver, Montreal and 
Halifax would be required to have their fingerprints and 
photographs taken, if new security measures, now in the final 
stages of implementation, take effect.

The measures, which are being planned on the back of the 
International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, would 
also involve extensive background checks.

These include Canadian police and security intelligence services 
check for known or past associations and criminal records.

In addition, financial checks would be carried out in order to 
determine if a worker was prone to being induced.

The Canadian Government has stated that information would be 
shared with other foreign intelligence agencies.

If a worker refuse to undergo security clearance, they would lose 
their job.

According to Vancouver-based International Transport Workers' 
Federation (ITF) coordinator Peter Lahay: "The regulations, in 
place since July 1, have limited ITF inspectors' ability to spot-
check flag of convenience vessels due to the requirement to seek 
an invitation in advance of the inspection.

"Meanwhile the government is doing nothing in the way of truly 
securing the nation's ports. This starts with a dedicated police 
force, Canada disbanded theirs in 1997. Security is being papered 
over and workers are being turned into scapegoats."

Kees Marges, ITF Dockers Section Secretary commented: "This is a 
wake-up call for port workers' unions across the world. They 
should be alert to the consequences for unions and port workers 
of the misuse of the ISPS Code. So far only unions from the US, 
Canada and Australia, confronted with the implementation of 
government policies, have raise specific concerns over the 
issue."

The ITF's safety and security campaign, launched in September, 
aims to protect transport workers from excessive security 
legislation, which is frequently being used to undermine workers' 
rights.

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International Transport Workers' Federation