Law aid for abroad
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• A legal aid scheme to help lorry drivers working abroad is being considered by the International Transport Workers' Federation.
The Transport and General Workers' Union has asked the ITF to look at a worldwide advice line. The TGWU says it would like to see free phone numbers for lorry drivers who find themselves in trouble with the law in foreign countries. These lines would offer drivers advice and pass them on to local lawyers. This would then be extended to bilateral agreements between countries which would offer reciprocal legal aid for drivers.
Eventually all countries would offer legal aid to any driver belonging to a union affiliated to the ITF. "However, this a long way oft" says the TGWU. Swedish trade unions have already expressed interest in setting up a worldwide legal aid scheme. The Swedish Transport Workers' Union says: "Trade union members when faced with an unknown legal situation often find an admission of guilt is the natural way of escaping conflict with foreign legal system.
"It is in the joint and common interest of ITF members for the federation to take responsibility for and contribute to international legal aid. Irrespective of nationality, union members must be given the opportunity of receiving professional legal assistance and protection of their interests when working abroad."
Although many unions support the idea of an international legal aid scheme, many condemn it as too expensive.