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The United Truck Drivers and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (UTDAWUZ) has declared full support for the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Zambia Chapter’s demand for urgent protection of truck drivers operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that it will lobby for a regional boycott of DRC-bound routes if insecurity persists.
The union’s stance follows a surge in what it described as “unacceptable” and “barbaric” attacks on Zambian truck drivers in the DRC, including killings and robberies along key transport corridors.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, UTDAWUZ called on the ITF and its more than 700 affiliates worldwide to take decisive action to protect drivers, whom it said continue to face deadly risks while transporting goods across the region.
“Our drivers are being killed while the world watches. We are no longer asking for safety; we are demanding it. If the DRC authorities cannot secure our corridors, then those corridors must remain empty,” UTDAWUZ said.
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The union outlined a set of demands, including immediate and visible security guarantees for all transport workers operating within DRC borders.
UTDAWUZ also called for full investigations into recent attacks and the prosecution of those responsible for the killings and robberies of drivers.
In addition, the union urged regional transport unions under the ITF umbrella to prepare for a coordinated boycott of cargo routes into the DRC until clear safety benchmarks are met.
UTDAWUZ stressed that the transport sector remains the backbone of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) economy, facilitating trade and regional integration.
However, it warned that economic activity cannot come at the cost of workers’ lives.
“The transport industry cannot be built on the blood of drivers,” the statement said, adding that continued reliance on what it termed “silent diplomacy” had failed to protect workers.
The union said it was ready to work with regional partners and international labour bodies to ensure decisive action was taken, insisting that no further lives should be lost due to insecurity along critical regional trade routes.
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