The
International Road Transport Union or the IRU is the global and foremost trade body for freight and passenger transport worldwide and have recently been the target of serious allegations claiming that they have over $550 Million of member funds hidden away and for falsifying financial structures and transactions.
The allegations come from former IRU Deputy Secretary Genral, Marek Retelski, which include mismanagement and embezzlement and failing to pay back members money owed to them.
The claims came to light to IRU the day before holding a general assembley on 7th April 2016.
The IRU have responded to these claims quickly and formally denied them following with this direct quote.
"IRU takes these allegations extremely seriously and is currently assessing all legal options. IRU is particularly concerned about how these allegations could damage the organisation, its members, partners and dedicated staff."
Then continued to say...
"Coming on the eve of IRU’s General Assembly, held on 8 April 2016, these allegations were discussed by IRU members at that meeting. The audited 2015 accounts were subsequently approved and the meeting concluded with a large majority of members continuing to fully support the Secretary General and his staff.
IRU welcomes the fact that the Board will oversee an additional independent external audit in order to help clear these allegations as quickly as possible.
IRU understands that a file has been submitted to the Geneva State Prosecutor’s Office, and stands ready to collaborate with the Swiss authorities to bring this matter to a close."
IRU stated that they hope to start the independent audit in early May to quickly "disprove" these allegations.
According to Retelski, Among the list of those with money being stolen is the UK's
Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the
Freight Transport Association (FTA) with over $350,000 being owed between the two however an FTA spokesperson stated that FTA was not aware that this money was owed to them but they are liasing with the IRU privatley to resolve this.
A RHA spokesperson stated that they have asked for "full details" from the IRU concerning this matter and can not comment further at this time.