The International Transport Workers' Foundation (ITF) is speaking out following the shooting of the leader of its dockers union in Argentina.
The labour group said on Tuesday that it "condemns in the strongest possible terms" the attempted killing of Roberto Coria, who was standing for re-election as secretary general of the Sindicato de Guincheros.
"This was a heinous and cowardly act," said ITF president and dockers chair Paddy Crumlin. "Under no circumstances can we permit or tolerate the use of violent acts against trade union leaders or any other interference with the democratic will of members of a trade union."
He said the union movement is democratic, non-violent and transparent.
"Our leaders — from shop stewards and delegates, all the way up to national presidents and general secretaries — must always be permitted to get on with the work of representing their members without fear or intimidation," Crumlin said.
According to a video published by Noticias Argentinas and reporting by the Perfil newspaper, Coria was in the driveway outside his home in Buenos Aires with his son when a man in a grey hooded sweatshirt exited a nearby car and approached the property.
The man walked up to the gate and fired four shots at Coria, hitting him with one, before running back down the street.
Coria, who has spent 12 years as the head of the local union, was taken to the hospital following the shooting and was reported to be in stable condition.
He was shot 24 hours before the union's elections. After the shooting, he was re-elected to another four-year term with 75% of the vote.
ITF dockers section coordinator Enrico Tortalano said he sends "unrelenting solidarity, support and best wishes" to Coria, his family and his union.
"We stand unflinchingly with Roberto at this difficult time," Tortalano said.
"Roberto is a tremendous asset to the ITF Dockers’ Section and a comrade who has our respect. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back soon, fighting for his members and the wider global dockers community."
