Flai and Mediterranea save people together, because whoever saves a life saves the whole world. And no one saves himself, as the history of trade unions teaches. This is why the agro-industrial section of the CGIL has decided to give concrete help to the association for social promotion, which was born six years ago this summer, out of collective indignation at the thousands of deaths in the Mediterranean and the insane policy of closing ports, which prevented the rescue of those at the end of their tether, after days and nights at the mercy of the sea, crammed into makeshift boats, without food, water or sleep. Allowing the sea and land crews of Mediterranea to set off on new rescue missions is a concrete step towards peace.

As international tensions and Italian and European migration policies have escalated, Mediterranea has gone out to meet people, then organised land missions both on the Balkan route and in Ukraine. And, in recent months, in the West Bank. Another aspect of this street union, which is the compass of Flai CGIL's daily action, is going out to meet men and women who need help.
The Flai CGIL labour brigades bring rights directly to the fields, where people work the land, often in inhuman conditions, where a residence permit can become a weapon of blackmail, where not knowing the language is another factor that makes you vulnerable to blackmail. Mediterranea's activists will join Flai's workers' brigades, starting a virtuous circle inextricably linked to the defence of those with fewer rights and fewer protections.

For Giovanni Mininni, General Secretary of Flai CGIL, "in the face of a fortress Europe that closes its borders to those fleeing war, misery and climate change, the ships of Mediterranea and the entire civilian fleet are one of the few anchors of salvation that remain human". Laura Marmorale, President of Mediterranea Saving Humans, adds: 'We are very grateful for Flai's support, not only because it is essential for the missions we are about to undertake, but also because we know that the protection of the rights and dignity of the people we rescue at sea does not end the moment they reach land. The securitarian laws that govern immigration in this country place them in constant danger. For us, forging an alliance and cooperation pact with Flai CGIL is an opportunity to establish a continuity of thought and action between sea and land'.

Rome/Bologna, 7 October 2024