MAY DAY MESSAGE : FROM THE WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS
The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) warmly greets the working people and trade unions all over the world on the occasion of May Day 2005, and conveys its international solidarity with the struggle for economic and social demands, for peace in the world ending all wars, occupation, threats, economic pressures, oppression and exploitation and to build a better life for all nations and peoples.
This May Day has special significance for the WFTU, its affiliates, friends and trade union movements the world over, as we are preparing for the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the WFTU on 3 October 2005 and the 15th Congress of the WFTU in Havana, Cuba from 1 to 4 November 2005.
On this May Day, the world’s trade unionists sharply condemn the fact that today, the neo-conservative and neo-liberal ideologists of globalisation are imposing global policies which undermine the ideals upheld in the UN Charter, the Philadelphia Declaration of the ILO, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all international laws and conventions which were adopted to uphold the rights of nations and the working people to achieve social progress.
We condemn the fact that the gains achieved by the world trade union movement over a century and more, are sought to be reversed by the ruling circles which seek to impose their neo-liberal policies in the name of “globalisation”. We also condemn the fact that, instead of upholding trade union rights and recognising trade unions, most transnational corporations and big employers are seeking to impose a “union-free environment”. They are seeking to destroy the trade union movement. Instead of collective agreements, there are more individual contracts and job security and other rights won by the trade union movement are being liquidated, in many cases.
The world’s trade unions are calling for a sustained struggle against the growing poverty and unemployment, against hunger and malnutrition, AIDS and other diseases, the neglect of safety standards at work and the lack of healthcare for low-income groups.
The WFTU reiterates its condemnation of the fact that development strategies and programmes adopted by the UN Summit in Copenhagen (1995) and upheld in the UN Millennium Goals (2000) are virtually ignored and that Governments and the transnational monopolies are wasting precious resources for development on the continuing build up of nuclear and other mass destruction weapons. The Transnational Corporations are maximising their super-profits by increasing the exploitation of the working people in all countries, especially the developing countries.
The trade unions strongly denounce the fact that the dominant military power, the United States brutally interferes in the internal affairs of sovereign countries, misusing slogans for promoting democracy and freedom and claiming the “right” to ignore international law and the UN Charter. Instead of a New International Economic Order as adopted by the UN General Assembly, upholding national independence and sovereignty, the US ruling circles seek to impose their hegemony by launching military attacks on and threats against member States of the UN. Iraq and Afghanistan, victims of US wars of aggression, are living under military occupation. Israel continues to occupy Palestinian and other Arab lands in Syria and Lebanon.
Cold war strategies are still continuing under the guise of “globalisation” as advocated by the World Bank and the IMF, to destroy countries that are committed to build a social alternative. A major aspect of this strategy is the continued offensive at the ILO and other international forums against such countries as China, Cuba, Syria, the DPRK, Venezuela, Belarus and others that refuse to accept the hegemony, economic and social policies advocated by the World Bank and IMF from their headquarters in Washington.
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On this May Day, we declare that it is high time to stop and eliminate these dangerous imperialist policies and begin the process of formulating and implementing a democratic alternative. The WFTU is an integral part of this process. The recently established International Trade Union Forum, under the Beijing Consensus, is a realistic effort to create genuine trade union cooperation and unity.
The WFTU reiterates that the divisions that are artificially created and maintained must be eliminated. The attempts that are made to misuse UN specialised agencies like the ILO must be defeated. The Workers Group at the ILO must represent all trends in the world trade union movement. All attempts at discrimination against certain countries and trade union organisations must be overcome by promoting dialogue and unity in the trade union movement and within the ILO..
On May Day this year, trade unions all over the world are intensifying their united struggles against the policies of neoliberal globalisation. There is a new situation in Latin America and other continents, and the mass mobilisations of trade unions and other democratic forces have led to major political changes. Massive trade union actions have been organised in all continents against the neoliberal policies and attacks on workers’ rights¨and against the FTAA..
The Millennium Goals of the UN can and should be implemented. This can be done if the international community takes firm measures to end wastage of huge resources on the colossal military expenditures and such military attacks on sovereign countries like Afghanistan and Iraq and other plans for war and occupation of countries are prevented and the exploitation of countries and peoples and the profiteering of the transnational corporations are eliminated. This can be done if all Member States respect international law and the UN Charter.
Globalisation should mean global cooperation of the member States of the UN on a basis of equality, mutual benefit and non-interference in internal affairs, upholding international law and the international labour standards set by the ILO. There must be disarmament for development and all mass destruction weapons should be destroyed.
On this May Day, let us forcefully demand and insist that all nations abide by international law and the UN Charter and denounce continuing policies of militarism, war, threats, pressures and interference in internal affairs of countries pursued by the Bush Administration in the United States and its close ally, the Israeli regime illegally occupying Arab lands in Palestine, Syrian Golan and remaining part of South Lebanon and indulging in gross violation of human rights and international law.
Together, let us demand that all Member States of the ILO implement international labour standards and take firm action against the perpetrators of physical attacks and assassinations of trade unionists.
Together, let us demand the implementation of the recommendations made by the ILO Commission on Globalisation.
Together, let us demand that the UN resumes work on a Code of Conduct to regulate the activities of the transnational corporations, ensuring that these corporations implement international labour standards, especially on the right of association of their workers and right to collective bargaining.
Together, let us demand a serious review of the policies of globalisation, and an end to the so-called liberalisation and privatisation and demand that all Member States of the UN take effective steps to implement policies outlined in the UN‘s Millennium Goals.
Together, let us demand that immediate steps be taken to cancel the unpayable outstanding foreign debt of the developing countries.
Together, let us demand an immediate end to all forms of aggression and occupation, the embargoes and threats against sovereignty of countries like Cuba, Iran, Syria, DPRK and other countries as well as the suppression of people‘s rights.
On this May Day, let us all jointly prepare for the 15th Congress of the WFTU and promote the unity of the world trade union movement in the struggle to build A Better World that is, indeed, possible and necessary.
APTUF Message on International Labour Day 2005
All Pakistan Trade Union Federation conveys its greetings on International Labour Day to the millions of workers and their allies who are in the forefront of united actions and struggles against Anti-Workers policies.
At a time when greater financial resources are demanded for education, public health, housing and other social necessities, it is absolutely unacceptable that the resources are wasted on a new arms race, preparing for high-tech warfare and military adventures.
That is why it is the necessity of time for the trade unions to educate Workers on the real issues, further develop their information networks and unite with other democratic forces, against Anti-Workers policies that are being imposed on the name of Globalization. through the IMF, World Bank and the WTO.
On this May Day, APTUF appeals to trade unions in all countries to strengthen their struggle for peace and Workers progress. On the occasion of 1st May 2005, APTUF is going to organize a Demonstration to pay tribute to Chicago Martyrs, as well as against IMF, WTO, World Bank Anti-Workers Policies, down sizing, unemployment, Privatization, price hick, discrimination & violence against women.
Worker (Women and Men) from Industrial Areas will participate in Demonstration.
Links arms! We have a World to Win
Long Live Solidarity between Workers!
Long Live May Day!
In Solidarity.
Gulzar Ahmed Chudhary
General Secretary
All Pakistan Trade Union Federation
