Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chain (JAG-TSC)

The Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chain (JAG-TSC) was established at a meeting of the Director-Generals of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) with the heads of international transport organizations and federations on 6 December 2021. The JAG-TSC discussed serious and urgent challenges faced by transport workers resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a view to minimize adverse impacts on transport workers, their families, global trade and supply chains, while at the same time ensuring that public health needs are fully safeguarded, and local communities are protected.

Thereafter, three JAG-TSC technical meetings were held at the ILO in Geneva on: 28 March 2022, 27 June 2022 and 6 September 2022. A final meeting at Principals’ level met on 25 January 2023 during which the results of JAG-TSC were reviewed, discussed and its Recommendations adopted.

The JAG-TSC brought together representatives of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and World Health Organization (WHO), as well as representatives of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). The International Organization of Employers (IOE) was also represented. At the third meeting, representatives from the Government of Panama, the European Commission were invited to present good practices. Also, during the third meeting, a representative from the International Railways Union (UIC) attended as an observer.

1. Initial Principals’ meeting – 6 December 2021 – Establishment of the JAG-TSC

UN agencies and other international organizations establish Joint Action Group to protect transport workers and secure supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic

2. Technical meetings in 2022:

a. First meeting, 28 March 2022

• Informal report - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC) 
• List of participants - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)
• ICAO presentation - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC) 
• WHO presentation - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)
• ILO presentation - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)
• IMO presentation - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)
• International Chamber of Shipping presentation - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)
• IRU presentation - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC) 

b. Second meeting, 27 June 2022 

• Informal report - First and Second meetings of the Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)
• List of participants - 2nd meeting Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)
• ICS presentation - 2nd meeting of the Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)
• WHO presentation - 2nd meeting of the Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)
• ILO presentation - 2nd meeting of the Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)

c. Third meeting, 6 September 2022

• Final informal report - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chain (JAG-TSC)
• List of participants - 3rd meeting - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC) 
• ICAO - presentation - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)                
• WHO INB - presentation - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)
• WHO IHR - presentation - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC)
• WHO DHI - presentation - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chains (JAG-TSC) 

3. Final principals’ meeting – 24 January 2023 – Possible adoption of Draft Recommendations

• Recommendations - Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chain (JAG-TSC)
• WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the second and final Principals’ Meeting of the Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chain (JAG-TSC) 
• IMO -  Learning the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic - Joint Action Group recommendations to mitigate impacts of health recommendations on transport keyworkers 

4. Operationalization of JAG-TSC Recommendations and follow-up actions

In accordance with Recommendation 17, and in order to "involve more systematically and proactively UN Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams to address the challenges of the transport sectors and their workers with respect to issues specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as future public health emergencies of international concern” - this informational video has been produced by the ILO in collaboration with the WHO.