social and political affairs

EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION ETUC:ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

2012-01-26T07:54:00.000-08:00

The weather was not very supportive to the demonstrators who wanted to support the ETUC in its call to the European leaders to listen more to the European Trade Unions.

European TradeUnions have been busy looking for an answer to the European crisis, as Inoticed yesterday during a poor visited demonstration and a well organizedpress conference in Brussels. As European Trade Union Confederation it is ofcourse hard to organize a demonstration in the streets of Brussels but if youdo so, then you'd better do well or it could have a reverse result. Better notiger at all than a paper tiger to paraphrase a Chinese proverb.

During the press conferenceETUC general secretary Bernadette Segolene noted that due to the euro crisis aneconomic recession threatens. She rejects the unilateral approach of theEuropean Council and Commission to the national debt reduction through spendingcuts and more cuts. She opposes the new European treaty, with its strict rulesfor national budgets.

ETUC directives together with ETUC Secretary General Bernadette Ségol in the middle in front of the building of the European Council in Brussels.

TUC leader Brendan Barbercannot imagine himself that with these new rules in the hand Brussels caninterfere within collective bargaining and labour conditions just to maintainthe national budget balance. He is happy that his Prime Minister Cameron doesnot want to participate in the new European treaty, but unfortunately he doesso with wrong arguments of protecting London City as global financial market.Hence, the TUC solidarity with the rest of Europe.

His colleague BernardThibault of the CGT French thinks the same way. He argues that the new Treatyhas not been established by democratic rule. One did not listen to the unions.Ségol tells us the story that the Italian government has proposed to the unionsto have a social dialogue by email. If this sets the tone for the next fewyears, then it does not look good for the future of the social dialogue. TheETUC therefore wants to make a wake up call for politicians for it becomes toolate and the cuts cause an economic recession resulting in more unemploymentthat is already so high, especially among young people. Therefore, employmentshould be given priority over cuts.

ETUC secretary general Bernadette Ségol speaks with the press in the streets of Brussels on 25th of January

The ETUC calls on theEuropean Union to invest in a sustainable economy, quality jobs, socialjustice, and to combat social inequality and poverty. It insists in a specialeffort for young workers who already are victims of the European crisis.

Employment should have a higherpriority than state debt reduction to reassure the financial markets. But wherewill the money come from for jobs? If you do not reassure the financialmarkets, you can forget to get their money unless you want to abolish the freemarket for capital but this was not discussed.

So what should be done? Itwill be no coincidence that the representative of the German DGB presented a"four point program for change in Europe":
1. The European Central BankECB should be the Stability and Rescue Anchor ie the Lender of Last Resort. TheEurozone would become a transfer area or in trade union terms, a community ofsolidarity.

2. Agreement oncyclical fiscal policies and social justice. A higher debt is covered by highertaxes for major capital assets based on the principle that strong shouldersshould bear the heaviest burdens.
3. Forward a comprehensiveprogram, a "New Deal" for Europe to invest in future-orientedsustainable industry, particularly in the energy sector, services and education.The DGB proposes two models for funding. Anyone with a capacity of over €500,000 (married over € 1 million) sets off 3% of its assets available for aninterest-free period of 10 years and then get the money back, or it is givenindefinitely. The money is managed by the European Investment bank.
4. Effective regulation offinancial markets (banking and insurance) to guarantee long term stability ofthese institutions and their ability to absorb losses in equity.

In order to increase pressureon the politicians, the ETUC leaders decided to have a European Action Day onFebruary 29, the day before the meeting of the European Council. The goal isthat a social paragraph will be added to the new EU treaty. "Balanced budgetare necessary but austerity alone exacerbates imbalances. A policy ofstimulation of the economy through investments should be the solution ofchoice", says the ETUC.

HUNGARY 2012: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

2012-01-21T00:21:00.000-08:00

The heavily critized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban came on wednesday 18yh of January to Brussels to discuss his policy with the European Commission and to explain it to the members of the European Parliament.

Since the Fidesz party won the absolutemajority in Parliament at the parliament elections in 2010 and therefore drovethe leftist socialist out of power, political controverses are sharpeningbetween the Government of Prime Minister Victor Orban and the leftist opposition.Theopposition claims that the Orban government is becoming more and more anauthoritarian government, destroying democratic values, trying to censor themedia, threatening the independence of judges and the national central bank.The European Commission decided to launch accelerated infringement proceedingsagainst Hungary over the independence of its central bank and data protectionauthorities as well as over measures affecting the judiciary.

Prime Minster Victor Orban came last Wednesdayto Brussels to discuss these matters with the European Commission and toexplain to the European Parliament his Government policies. Socialist leader HannesSwoboda supported the critics of the opposition in Hungary. In contrast, leaderJoseph Daul of the Christian Democratic oriented European People’s Partyexpressed his confidence in Victor Orban.

On Trade Union level there are also differentopinions. ETUC General Secretary Bernadette Ségol stated that ‘The EuropeanUnion cannot put up with the attacks made by Viktor Orban on media pluralism,the independence of the justice system and all the democratic counter-powers.We need to act to ensure that the fundamental rights guaranteed by the EU arefully respected. The initiatives taken by President Barroso must be bolstered.This so-called economic patriotism will only lead to forcing the country into anationalistic and populist direction that must be condemned as being harmful toworkers and citizens’.

On theother side speaks President Ilmre Palkovics of the Hungarian trade unionconfederation Munkastancsok in favor of the Government. On my request he wrotethe following comment on what is going on in Hungary. As you will see, hisopinion is more worker’s oriented.

President Imre Palkovics of the Hungarian Trade Union Confederation Munkastanoscok (left) talking to former ETUC secretary general John Monks.

HUNGARY-2012:THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

The pasttwo decades or so brought about a disappointing reality vis-a-vis theexpectations of the Hungarian society at large. A few people became incrediblyrich, but the majority live in dispair, poverty, degrading existentialsecurity, many lost their jobs, health, homes, or faith inthe future.

Hugeprofits, low wages.

Thebackground of disappointment is that the West promised to help, butaccomplished the expropriation of the country instead: state property has beenprivatized into the hands of mainly Western investors. The share of foreignownership has become determining, both in the real economy and in the financialsector. The profits made in Hungary were systematically fleeing the country,having been boosted by the owners not paying fair wages to the employees aswell as by state subsidies and tax holidays lavished at the multinationals.Compare: the investors’ profit rates in the past 20 years went up by an averageof 21%, while the mean earnings rate by a meagre 0.7%. Consequently, the realvalue of the wages in 2012 is equal to that of 30 years ago.

Hence,the economic activity in Hungary failed to provide the resources needed for anormal functioning of the society at the level of the state and of individuallife. There followed another means of plundering the country: that of the debtyoke, inflicted on both the state and the population.

Neo-Liberal Globalisationleads to colonization

Theabove economic and social phenomena are present not only in Hungary. As is nowobvious, it goes about a thoroughly designed and tested model. The initiatorsof globalization, the neoliberal market forces and powers have used methods ofcapital outsourcing and colonization to fleece the Latin American continent,Central and Eastern Europe, now Europe’s southern states, Ireland, and it’ll goon.

Inspite of the fact that the „irrational rationalism” of fundamentalistneoliberal markets admittedly failed, and became untenable in 2008, the globalmoneysucking pumps are still fully operational.

Inwhat does the Hungarian situation differ from other countries?

Itgoes without saying, the ransacked society in other regions, too, suffers becauseof the depleted resources.

Worker’sinterests versus International Capital interests

Hungarianswere lucky to have elected a politician, a statesman, who is determined toserve not only the global interests of money. Over two thirds of citizens votedfor a policy of slowing down the rate of the country’s plundering and isdetermined to see that policy implemented by their prime minister. He isexpected to make it clear to international investors, that Hungarians are notwilling to hand over all fruit of their work. We would like to protect ourmodest means of living, at least those that the previous socialist governmentsof Mr Gyurcsány and Mr Bajnai (who enjoy the West’s high esteem for now obviousreasons) had no time to deliver to the markets.

Thegovernment of Viktor Orbán made an earnest effort by levying taxes on banks andmultinational companies, retaining parts of their extra profits. This wasinevitable in order to raise the billions required for the servicing of themushrooming interest on state debt. As a follow-up, 13 corporations,operational in this country, lodged a complaint against the Hungariangovernment already in 2010.

Formany of us it is clear now, that over the democratically elected nationalgovernments there is a genuine power structure of those who have not beenelected and aren’t controlled by anyone. Viktor Orbán and the Hungariangovernment dared to challenge that power, and stepped over the line marked forsmall countries having no economic or military might. He personally, hisgovernment and Hungary as a whole have now been made a target of retaliation.

Democraticvalues versus international interests.

Thearsenal of the strike includes blemishing us in the face of internationalpublic opinion for destroying „the delicate equilibrium of checks andbalances”. Let us see: did those checks and balances restrain in the past 20years anyone, apart from masses of cheap labour? Apart from those, who weremethodically conned and fooled by the sycophant „free” media?

Westerndemocracy discredits itself, when it allows the European Central Bank to decidewhat remuneration Hungary should pay to the governor (who has been known forducking taxation by rescuing his private capital to offshore havens) of itsnational bank, an institution „independent” only of serving Hungary’sinterests!

Ourprime minister is labeled „dictatorial”, because he lived up to his democraticmandate, obtained as a result of free elections, to have the parliament confirmour sovereignty by adopting a basic law capable of being a safeguard ofnational interests. Hungary was the last of the former socialist countries todo away with a Stalinist constitution!

„Populist!”,goes the chorus led by the New York Times, which readily sticks the label toevery politician who serves collective interests instead of individual ones.Had Orbán maintained the policy of subservience to global market interests,there’d be no hysteria, no concerted attack against Hungary, unleashed lastyear by the media.

Thisis the sin, then, of the freely elected Hungarian prime minister andgovernment. Even the erection in Budapest of a monument to Ronald Reagan,father of global rule, wasn’tenough to placate the wrath, provoked by Hungarians wishing to have the neoconservative economic model work forthem, too, instead of delivering its total yield to the empire.

The political battle goes on

Theirony of the situation is, that the leftist-liberal opposition - which was a disaster while in officefor eight successive years that only brought the „need for austerity” to thecountry – feel triumphant again. The old good times are back, there is a Masteragain - the Brussels commission and the US ambassador, replacing the sovietcommunists -, so they can flockthere and betray a government trying to defend the interests of the nation. The„leftist forces” and the liberals who even failed to make it to the parliamentin the 2010 elections, are now „worried”, because it turns out that Hungariansare aware of their national interests!

Globalmedia come handy to the opposition in its campaign to convince us, that it isgood, if we submit again to the depletion-causing instructions of the IMF, theencashment institute of international investors.

Anuneven battle is being escalated, the financial empire has deployed its fullarsenal against Viktor Orbán, in order to confuse, estrange and turn againsthim the now supportive social strata, all those he tries to save from beingdefinitively locked in the cage of debt slavery.

For to the common good.

Bringingdown the Hungarian government is so urgent for the profit machinery and themedia not because the country’s market is so important, but because of the rolemodel it might become for other captive nations. Inadvertently, a comparisonwith 1956 comes to mind: then, too, Hungarians wanted to extricate themselvesaway from the strangulating embrace of another empire. Then, too, there was acomplicity among the big powers which allowed the freedom fight to bleed.

Butthere is a vestige of hope now: the ruling new-enlightenment project is introuble, because its founding fathers can only think in terms of individuals.An empire of individuals has pushed the entire world economy and modern civilizationinto their worst crisis. This empire can’t hope for a lease on life as long asthe soviet empire had following the defeat of the 1956 Hungarian revolution!

Wesupport our prime minister and government for their courageous endeavour tostep out of the rank of cover-up democracies, and hope that public opinion inother Western nation states will heed to our arguments.17.01.2012. Budapest

ImrePalkovics

(Munkástanácsok-National Confederation of Workers’Councils)

TOP ECONOMIES IN 2050

2012-01-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

These days you can ask yourself if the EU and the Euro will still exist in the year 2050. The question is if the EU and the Eurowill still exist, how it will be organized. Will the EU countries come more together and make one economy or will there still be as many economies as there are countries?

CNN informs that The global research department ofHSBC Bank has released a report predicting the rise and fall of the world’seconomies in the next 40 years. It will be of no surprise that the world’s topeconomy in 2050 will be China, followed by the United States. Since China’sreforms in the 1980s, economists have said it’s not a question of if, but when,China’s collective economic might will top the U.S.

But among the smaller, developingnations, there are several surprises by HSBC prognosticators:

- By 2050, the Philippines will leapfrog 27places to become the world’s 16^th largest economy.

-Peru’s economy, growing by 5.5%each year, jumping 20 places to 26^th place – ahead of Iran, Columbiaand Switzerland. Other strong performers will be Egypt (up 15 places to 20th),Nigeria (up nine places to 37^th), Turkey (up six spots to 12^th),Malaysia (up 17 to 21^st) and the Ukraine (up 19 to 45^th).

- Japan’s working population will contract by aworld-top 37% in 2050 – yet HSBC economists predict it will still be toward thetop performing economies, dropping only one spot to the 4^th largesteconomy. India will jump ahead of Japan to 3^rd on the list.

- The big loser in the next 40 years will beadvanced economies in Europe, HSBC predicts, who will see their place in theeconomic pecking order erode as working population dwindles and developingeconomies climb. Only five European nations will be in the top 20, compared toeight today. Biggest drop will be felt northern Europe: Denmark to 56^th( -29), Norway to 48^th ( -22), Sweden to 38^th (-20)and Finland to 57^th (-19).

HSBC 2050 list of top economies(change in rank from 2010)

1) China (+2)

2) U.S. (-1)

3) India (+5)

4) Japan (-2)

5) Germany (-1)

6) UK (-1)

7) Brazil (+2)

8) Mexico (+5)

9) France (-3)

10) Canada (same)

11) Italy (-4)

12) Turkey (+6)

13) S. Korea (-2)

14) Spain (-2)

15) Russia (+2)

16) Philippines (+27)

17) Indonesia (+4)

18) Australia (-2)

19) Argentina (2)

20) Egypt (+15)

21) Malaysia (+17)

22) Saudi Arabia (+1)

23) Thailand (+6)

24) Netherlands (-9)

25) Poland (-1)

26) Peru (+20)

27) Iran (+7)

28) Colombia (+12

29) Switzerland (-9)

30) Pakistan (+14)

“If we step away from thecyclicality, there are two ways economies can grow; either add more people tothe production line via growth in the working population, or make eachindividual more productive,” the report says.

In other words, demographics – thesize of your working population – along with the opportunities to flex thatmuscle help determine long-term economic trends. Big factors on the back halfof that equation: Education opportunities, democratic governments or strongrule of law (a caveat that explains China and Saudi Arabia’s high placement).

“We openly admit that behind theseprojections we assume governments build on their recent progress and remainsolely focused on increasing the living standards for their populations,” thereport says. “Of course, this maybe an overly glossy way of viewing the world.”

Chief factors that may deraileconomies moving forward, the report says: War, energy consumption constraints,climate change, and growing barriers to population movement across borders.

SUB SAHARAN AFRICA ON THE MOVE

2012-01-06T05:09:00.000-08:00

Antoinette Sayeh, Director of the IMF's Africa Deparment

Antoinette Sayeh, Director of the IMF’sAfrican Department published on the site of the IMF an interesting article onAfrica titled ‘ The Quality of Growth’. She starts with the observation that “Sub - SaharanAfrica has had a great start to the 21st century—at least that’s what thenumbers show. Year after year the region has racked up solid economic growth,even when the global economy was anything but sound. Low-income countries havedone particularly well. Not only have average per capita incomes mountedsteadily, but inflation has generally been tamed, debt pruned, and opportunitiesfor foreign trade and investment opened up.”

But general statistics can be misleadingespecially when it concerns the poor people. The question is always if they geta share of the growing cake. Economic growth is a start but goes it togetherwith some kind of income distribution? To determine if the fruits of economicgrowth goes also to the most vulnerable people in the region, the IMF “lookedat detailed survey information on household activities and characteristics insix fairly typical lower-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The sample isof course rather small—and it didn’t include any major oil exporters or fragilestates—but it gives an insight into how changes in the standard of living ofthe poor correlate with each country’s growth and into the factors that liftedpoor people in these countries, as measured by their consumption.”

To promote employment for young Togolese workers the trade union founded a cooperative that helps them to become a mototaxista.

The survey learned that there “was a solidrise in average living standards of relatively poor households in each of thefour higher-growth countries in our sample—Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, andUganda—during the early 2000s. In contrast, poor households in Cameroon andZambia—the two slowest-growing countries—fared less well in terms of changes intheir consumption levels.”

Other results of the survey are that “the poorest 25 percent of households consumed more when economic growth percapita was higher” and “when consumption of thepoorest 25 percent of households rose, the number of people in absolute povertyfell. In other words, poor households did share in the benefits of growth.Furthermore, we know that among fast-growing countries in general, those thatgrow the fastest tend to see headcount poverty fall the most. Countries in oursample where the poorest 25 percent of the population did particularly wellalso showed sharp improvements in agricultural employment, especially in ruralareas. So agricultural incomes seem to play an important role in making growthmore inclusive.”

The Director of the IMF African Departmentconcludes that “economic growth is critical to raising the quality of lifefor the poorest in society. But it’s equally clear that growth alone is notenough. Economic growth must generate the right sort of employment and, overthe longer term, solid gains in education and human capital accumulation. Foryoung people, in particular, school plus experience is essential for trueinclusion in society.”

Another project sponsored by the Togolese trade union is a cooperative that helps women to become hairdressers.

Sayeh believes that in the short term thereare two ways to raise the living standards of the poor. “The first isthrough income-generating opportunities in agriculture, from which most poorhouseholds derive their livelihood—for example, by promoting more productivefarming methods (use of fertilizers, seeds) and building the appropriateinfrastructure (roads, electrification, irrigation). Second, economicassistance must be targeted to the most vulnerable households."

Economic growth is thebasic condition to make better the life of the poor and vulnerable people butit is not enough. Next is employment followed by a more equal distribution ofincome and welfare. State and government should play a vital role on bothfields. Trade unions in rural, sub-urban and urban areas have a lot of firsthand experience how to deal with employment and employers and have ideas aboutthe distribution of income and welfare. Therefore they should be consulted bygovernments and other institutions about what kind of economic assistance towhich groups in societies should be directed and how the distribution of incomeand welfare should be organized.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-12-31T01:18:00.000-08:00

THE AFRICAN EURO CRISIS

2011-12-23T05:56:00.000-08:00

Itwill be no coincidence that IMF Managing Director Ms Lagarde visited Africa where she warned that theeuro crisis could have severe consequences for the world economy and therfore also for Africa.In recent months West African ministersmet in emergency meetings. They wondered what measures they should take inresponse to the euro crisis.

Theircommon currency is the CFA Francwhich indeed is connected closelyto the Euro. This connection started atthe end of the Second World War when the French Franc was plagued byconstant inflation. To protect its colonies thatused the French Franc astheir currency, the Central Africancurrency was created while its valuewas guaranteed by France.

Eight West African countries - Benin,Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Mali,Niger, Senegal and Togo – share the so called West AfricanCFA. They together form the African FinanceCommunity. In addition, six Central African countries- Cameroon, Central AfricanRepublic, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon –togethermake up the Central African Economicand Monetary Community. Their common currency is also CFA which can not be used in theWest African countries. Both currenciesare guaranteed by France and since the French Franchas merged into the euro, they are guaranteed by the European CentralBank.

When in 1948 France devalued thefranc, the value of the CFA became two French Francs.In 1960, 100 Old FrenchFrancs were replaced by one New French Franc.Therefore the value of the CFA francbecame 0.02 NewFrench Franc. In 1994, the CFAwas devalued to0.01 New French Franc. With the arrival of theEuro, the value of one CFA Franc was set at 0.00152449 Eurosor 655.957 CFAto one Euro.

Becauseof the linking of the CFA Franc to the Euroit is increasingly difficultfor those African countries to compete with their export products on the worldmarket. In fact they suffer the same problems as Greece, Portugal andother European countries in the Eurozonethat can not devaluate anymoretheir currency with the aim to make cheaper their exportproducts on the worldmarket.

Moreover,the valueof many export products fromthose countries, suchas oil, cotton, coffee and cacoa are valued in Americandollars on the worldmarket. This makes the export products even more expensive on theworldmarket.

Adevaluation of the CFA Franc wouldtherefore be obvious. Rumors saythat the CFA Franc will bedevaluated until 1000for a Euro. The result ofthis will be that the imports will becomemore expensive for the local populationthat undoubtly will affect their standard of living.

OLD LABOUR TRIES TO OUST CLAC FROM ITUC

2011-12-09T03:13:00.001-08:00

Below you find a press release in English, German, Spanishand French of the Christian Labour Association of Canada – CLAC which speaksfor itself. You can find more information on the website of CLAC.

Acontinuación encontrará un comunicado de prensa en Inglés,alemán, español y francés de laAsociación Cristiana de Trabajo de Canadá - CLAC, que habla porsí mismo. Usted puede encontrar másinformación en la página web dela CLAC.

Ci-dessousvous trouverezun communiqué de presse en anglais,allemand, espagnol et français de la Christian Labour Association of Canada -CLAC qui parle pour lui-même. Vous pouvez trouverplus d'informations sur le site Internet de la CLAC.

Nachfolgendfinden Sie eine Pressemitteilung in Englisch, Deutsch,Spanisch und Französisch der ChristianAssociation of Labour Kanada - CLAC die fürsich spricht. Sie finden weitere Informationenauf der Website der CLAC.

25-11-2011

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Mississauga,ON—CLAC is outraged at the decision of the International Trade UnionConfederation (ITUC) to suspend CLAC’s membership for presenting itself as analternative trade union in Canada.

ITUC hascaved in to demands by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to attack CLACbecause it is afraid of the competition of a modern, progressive union thatfocuses on its members. ITUC’s decision and its kangaroo court process are aclear indication that it is unable to escape the stranglehold of old timeunionism.

Despiteappearing before an ITUC delegation to answer questions and presentingvoluminous evidence in its defense, CLAC was denied an opportunity to challengethe accuracy of the delegation’s report to ITUC’s General Council on which itbased its decision. CLAC’s suspension will be reviewed at ITUC’s next Congressin May 2014. Membership in ITUC can only be decided by the Congress.

CLAC isappalled at the lack of ethics of some ITUC members who leaked news of theGeneral Council’s decision before it was communicated to CLAC. Further, KenGeorgetti, president of the CLC, sits as vice-president on ITUC’s executiveboard—a clear conflict of interest.

There washope in 2006 that the merger of the International Confederation of Free TradeUnions with the World Confederation of Labour to form the new, more broadlybased ITUC would breathe new life into an archaic and ineffective approach forworkers’ rights. Today, we know that ITUC’s leaders are made up of the sameold, irrelevant ideologues who cling to an out-dated model of labour relationswhose days are numbered. How can ITUC maintain any sense of credibility orrelevance when it seeks to oust CLAC—a union recognized by government labour boardsacross Canada—but believes the state-controlled unions in labour unfriendlycountries such as Russia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and Eritrea are just fine?

CLACrefuses to succumb to these Old Labour style tactics. CLAC put the ITUC’splatitude of “union pluralism” to the test and it failed miserably. CLACcontinues to believe firmly in the rights of workers to make informed choicesregarding which union they want to join and what working agreements they wantto work under.

We believethat healthy competition between unions for the loyalty of workers is a goodthing that will make unions better and more responsive to their needs. It isnot a race to the bottom but a race to be the best. CLAC will continue to workhard for the betterment of unions, members, and the working conditions of allCanadians—with or without ITUC.

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Mississauga,Ontario – La CLAC expresa su indignación por la decisión de la ConfederaciónSindical Internacional (CSI) de suspender la afiliación de la CLAC por presentarsecomo un sindicato alternativo en Canadá.

La CSIcedió ante las reivindicaciones del Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) de atacar ala CLAC por miedo a la competencia de un sindicato moderno y progresista que secentra en los intereses de sus miembros. La decisión de la CSI y su procesojudicial montado de toda pieza indican claramente que no está en condicionespara evitar quedar maniatada por el antiguo sindicalismo.

A pesarde que compareciera ante una delegación de la CSI para responder a las preguntasy de que presentara numerosas pruebas en su defensa, a la CLAC se le negó laoportunidad de impugnar la exactitud del informe de la delegación sometido alConsejo General de la CSI en el que basó su decisión. La suspensión de la CSIserá objeto de una revisión durante el próximo Congreso de la CSI en mayo de2014. La afiliación a la CSI sólo puede ser decidida por el Congreso.

La CLACexpresa su consternación por la falta de ética por parte de algunos miembros dela CSI que divulgaron la decisión del Consejo General antes de ser comunicada ala CLAC. Además, Ken Georgetti, Presidente del CLC, es miembro del BuróEjecutivo de la CSI como Vicepresidente – un conflicto de intereses evidente.

En2006, había esperanzas de que la fusión entre la Confederación Internacional deOrganizaciones Sindicales Libres y la Confederación Mundial del Trabajo, quedesembocó en la formación de la nueva CSI más amplia, insuflara nueva vida a unenfoque arcaico e ineficaz de los derechos de los/las trabajadores/as. Hoy en día,sabemos que los dirigentes de la CSI cuentan con los mismos antiguos ideólogosirrelevantes que se aferran a un modelo anticuado de relaciones laborales cuyosdías están contados. ¿Cómo puede la CSI mantener la credibilidad o relevanciaal pretender expulsar a la CLAC – un sindicato reconocido por los consejos detrabajo del Gobierno en todo Canadá – y considerar que todo va bien en lossindicatos controlados por el Estado en varios países antisindicales, comoRusia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe y Eritrea?

La CLACse niega a sucumbir a esta antigua táctica sindical. La CLAC ha sometido aprueba la perogrullada del “pluralismo sindical” de la CSI, y fracasó de maneralamentable. Sigue creyendo firmemente en los derechos de los/lastrabajadores/as de poder elegir con conocimiento de causa al sindicato al quedeseen afiliarse y los acuerdos laborales con los que quieran trabajar.

Consideramosque una competencia sana entre sindicatos por la lealtad de los/lastrabajadores/as contribuye a mejorar los sindicatos y a que respondan mejor asus necesidades. No se trata de una carrera descendente sino de una carrerapara ser el mejor. La CLAC seguirá trabajando duro para mejorar los sindicatos,los miembros y las condiciones laborales de todos los canadienses – con o sin laCSI.

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Mississauga,Ontario – La CLAC est indignée par la décision de la Confédération syndicaleinternationale (CSI) de suspendre l’affiliation de la CLAC pour s’êtreprésentée en tant que syndicat alternatif au Canada.

La CSI a cédé auxdemandes du Congrès du travail du Canada (CTC) d’attaquer la CLAC dans lamesure où il craint la concurrence d’un syndicat moderne et progressiste axésur les intérêts de ses membres. La décision de la CSI et sa parodie deprocessus judiciaire indiquent clairement qu’elle n’est pas en mesure de sortirdu carcan du syndicalisme d’autrefois.

Bien qu’elle aitcomparu devant une délégation de la CSI pour répondre aux questions et qu’elleait fourni de nombreuses preuves de défense, la CLAC a été privée de l’occasionde contester l’exactitude du rapport de la délégation soumis au Conseil généralde la CSI, sur lequel la CSI a basé sa décision. La suspension de la CLAC feral’objet d’une révision lors du prochain Congrès de la CSI en mai 2014.L’affiliation à la CSI relève de la seule décision du Congrès.

La CLAC estconsternée par le manque d’éthique de certains membres de la CSI qui ontdivulgué la décision du Conseil général avant d’être communiquée à la CLAC. Enoutre, Ken Georgetti, président du CTC, siège au Bureau exécutif de la CSI enqualité de vice-président – un conflit d’intérêts évident.

On pouvaitespérer, en 2006, que la fusion entre la Confédération internationale dessyndicats libres et la Confédération mondiale du travail menant à la fondationde la nouvelle CSI, plus large, insuffle un nouvel élan à une approchearchaïque et inefficace des droits des travailleurs/euses. Aujourd’hui, noussavons que les dirigeants de la CSI regroupent les mêmes anciens idéologuesinappropriés s’accrochant à un modèle dépassé de relations de travail dont lesjours sont comptés. Comment la CSI peut-elle conserver sa crédibilité oupertinence en cherchant à expulser la CLAC – un syndicat reconnu par les conseilsdu travail du gouvernement dans tout le Canada – et en considérant que tout vabien au sein des syndicats contrôlés par l’État dans plusieurs paysantisyndicaux, notamment la Russie, le Venezuela, le Zimbabwe et l’Érythrée?

La CLAC refuse desuccomber à cette vieille tactique syndicale. La CLAC a mis à l’épreuve laplatitude du « pluralisme syndical » de la CSI, qui a échouélamentablement. La CLAC continue de croire fermement dans le droit destravailleurs/euses d’effectuer des choix éclairés quant au syndicat auquel ilssouhaitent s’affilier et aux contrats de travail sous lesquels ils veulenttravailler.

Nous considéronsqu’une saine concurrence entre les syndicats par esprit de loyauté envers lestravailleurs/euses contribue à rendre les syndicats meilleurs et plus réceptifsà leurs besoins. Il ne s’agit pas d’un nivellement par le bas mais d’unecompétition pour être le meilleur. La CLAC poursuivra ses efforts pouraméliorer les syndicats, les membres et les conditions de travail de tous les Canadiens– avec ou sans la CSI.

***

Mississauga,ON—CLAC ist empört über die Entscheidung des Internationalen Gewerkschaftsbunds(IGB), die Mitgliedschaft von CLAC zu suspendieren, weil CLAC sich in Kanadaals alternative Gewerkschaft aufgestellt hat.

Der IGB hat denAnforderungen des Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) nachgegeben, CLAC aus Angstvor dem Wettbewerb einer modernen, progressiven Gewerkschaft anzugreifen, diesich auf ihre Mitglieder konzentriert. Die Entscheidung des IGBs und derFemegerichtsprozess sind ein klares Indiz dafür, dass der IGB sich demWürgegriff eines Gewerkschaftswesens alter Zeiten nicht entziehen kann.

Trotz demVorsprechen vor einer IGB Delegation zur Beantwortung von Fragen und trotz demVorlegen voluminöser Beweise zur Verteidigung wurde CLAC die Gelegenheitverweigert, die Genauigkeit des Berichtes der IGB Delegation an den Generalratdes IGB anzufechten, auf den die Suspendierungsentscheidung gründet. DieSuspendierung der CLAC Mitgliedschaft wird zum kommenden IGB Kongress im Mai2014 überprüft werden. Mitgliedschaft beim IGB kann alleine durch den Kongressbeschlossen werden.

CLAC ist entsetztüber den Mangel an Ethik gewisser IGB Mitglieder, die Neuigkeiten zurEntscheidung des Generalrates durchsickern ließen, noch bevor sie CLACmitgeteilt wurden. Darüber hinaus sitzt Ken Georgetti – Präsident des CLC – alsVizepräsident im IGB Vorstand – ein eindeutiger Interessenkonflikt.

2006 kam dieHoffnung auf, dass die Fusion des Internationalen Bundes Freier Gewerkschaftenmit dem Weltverband der Arbeitnehmer zu einem neuen, breiter ausgerichteten IGBeiner archaischen und ineffizienten Auffassung der Arbeitnehmerrechte neuesLeben einflössen würde. Heute wissen wir, dass die Leiter des IGBs den gleichenalten, irrelevanten Ideologien nachstreben, die sich an ein ausrangiertesModell von Arbeitsverhältnissen klammern, dessen Tage gezählt sind. Wie kannder IGB Glaubwürdigkeit oder Relevanz wahren, wenn er einerseits versucht, CLACzu verdrängen – eine Gewerkschaft, die durch Regierungsarbeitsbehörden in ganzKanada anerkannt ist – und anderseits der Überzeugung ist, dass staatlichkontrollierte Gewerkschaften in Arbeitnehmer unfreundlich gesinnten Ländern wieRussland, Venezuela, Simbabwe und Eritrea ganz gut sind?

CLAC weigertsich, diesen ‘Old Labour’ Taktiken zu erliegen. CLAC legte den Gemeinplatz derIGB Platitude von ‚gewerkschaftlichem Pluralismus’ auf den Prüfstand und derIGB scheiterte kläglich. CLAC glaubt weiterhin fest an die Rechte derArbeitnehmer/innen, fundierte Entscheidungen darüber treffen zu können, welcherGewerkschaft sie beitreten und unter welchen Vereinbarungen sie arbeitenwollen.

Wir sind davonüberzeugt, dass ein gesunder Wettbewerb zwischen Gewerkschaften sich im Sinneder Loyalität der Arbeitnehmer/innen auswirkt und die Gewerkschaften verbessernund ihre Verantwortung gegenüber den Bedürfnissen verstärken wird.

Es geht sichnicht darum, den Gegner niederzumachen, sondern um den Wettlauf für das Beste.CLAC wird weiterhin hart an der Verbesserung der Gewerkschaften, der Mitgliederund der Arbeitsbedingungen aller Kanadier/innen arbeiten – mit oder ohne IGB.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE, THAT IS THE QUESTION FOR EUROPE

2011-12-01T06:49:00.001-08:00

As a result of the euro-crisis the Eurois more debated than ever before. Thisgoes hand in hand with the debate of the limits of solidarity between the Europeancountries and whether Europeshould continue to develop itself froman economic union into a more political union,inevitably resulting in a transfer, to a certain extent, ofnational sovereignty to Brussels. As a result Euro-skepticism, alreadypresent since the beginning of the 21^st century asa consequence of thegrowing uncertainty in the world (thefundamentalist attack on New York, the never endingwars in Iraq andAfghanistan, the economic rise of superpower Chinafollowed by Brazil and India), is also rising . Since its foundation the EuropeanUnion has never been under such severe financial and political stress.

Peoplein the richer northern European countries areincreasingly irritated by what is called‘the economic laziness’ of people in the southern European countries such as Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.Ireland, being a northern Europeancountries, is wisely not mentioned. Populist political leadersare therefore against more guarantees for the debts in thesesouthern European countries. Solidarity has become a dirty word, not only regarding Europe but the whole world. Call it what you may: nationalselfishness, short-sighted nationalismor protectionism, it is clearly an instinctive return to the nationaltribe that has beenone of the pivotal causes for so many European wars.

Europeis likethe rest of the world, a continent of national tribes or even regional ones such as the Basques and the Catalans in Spain, the Corsicans in France, the North Italians, the Balkan minorities such as the Serbs, Croatians, Macedonians, Slovenians,Albanians and Bosnian Muslims in former Yugoslavia (whohave all claimed their own states), the Flemish andthe Walloons in Belgium and so many others.

Webelieved that with the foundation of the European Unionthese national instincts would come to anend. Democracy and enlightened self-interest would slowly turn Europein some sort of Super State, a kind of UnitedStates of Europe. By lack of a blueprint nobody knew howand when, but the believe was that European powers such as France, Germanyand England would finally bury their hatchets. Europewould never again be the cradleof a world war like it had been twice in the past century.

Thispolitical dream now runs the risk to collapse under the weight of the euro-crisis. In TheNetherlands, a government-party engaged itself to investigate whethera return to the Guilder would be an option. In Great Britainconservatives argue for a new referendumon Europe in the hope that a massive part of the populationwill vote against more Europe. InFinland a populist Euro-skeptic party gained the most votes in the lastelections. In Germany there is a growingresistance against Europe calling for the return of the Deutsche Mark.

Under this growing pressure from populist politicaladventurists, Merkel and Sarkozy so far keep steadfastlyseeking for a solutionfor the euro-crisis. Such aEuropean solution should of course be democraticto prevent Europe losing itscredibility. European countrieswill not escape from the need to transfer moresovereignty to Brussels. But thistakes time. New institutionsshould be invented. The democraticlegitimacy of the EU must be strengthened by giving more power to the European Parliament,economic and financial ties should bestrengthened and more coordinated and perhaps European presidential electionsshould be held. And lastly but most importantly, a clear andconsistent story should be told to all 500 million Europeans to take away allhesitations and doubts about the ‘European Project’. Trust and tranquility arethe key-words.

Forfinancial markets, however, this is all not going fast enough.They want and are in need of quickresults in the formof cash and guarantees, ifnecessary without democracy, withoutsolidarity and trust. Investors are very reluctant to give more time to Europe to strengthenthe foundations of their European house.

PORTUGAL: THE RIGHT TO INDIGNATION

2011-11-24T05:03:00.001-08:00

"The Right to Indignation" stands above the declaration of theindependent trade union SINERGIA that I visited together with the members ofthe Worldboard of WOW one day before the general strike of November 24.SINERGIA is the trade union of Portuguese workers in the oil, gas andelectricity sector and an affiliate of WOW.

The trade union says in its statement that it wants to support the generalstrike even though it has as an independent union no place in thesocio-economic dialogue with government and employers and therefore does nothave influence on any national decision whatsoever. This is a deplorablesituation taking into consideration that the majority of unions in Portugal isindependent.

SINERGIA also emphasizes in its statement that as ahumanist-oriented trade union it considers a strike as the last resort whileemphasising on social dialogue as an instrument for the solution of socialconflicts.

The Right to Indignation

The current state of national finances, the result of governments of the lastdecade combined with a difficult global and international financial situation,has caused chaos in the social and economic life of the country.

Although the independent trade unions, the majority of trade unions in thecountry, are still not represented in the social dialogue and therefore notinvolved in the development of policies which have led to the declaration of ageneral strike on 24 November, SINERGIA considers that there are sufficientreasons to show indignation about the direction the national economy is goingand is undermining seriously social and economic life of most Portuguesefamilies.

Therefore SINERGIA announces the general strike, taking into account the realconcerns of all workers:

- For investment and more dynamics in the productive sector.

- To combat fraud, tax evasion and undeclared work.

- Against the impoverishment of the workers and the people in general.

- For the defense of the basic social functions of the state.

- For the defense and improvement of public services.

- Against the arbitrary elimination of social services.

- Against unemployment and job insecurity.

- Against lowering wages and pensions.

Sinergia is based on the values of humanism with an emphasis on socialdialogue and consultation to which the strike is considered as a last resort forthe solution of social conflicts. The choice is (always) yours!

NEW EZA PRESIDENT BARTHO PRONK STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL DIALOGUE IN TIMES OF CRISIS

2011-11-15T07:22:00.001-08:00

The new elected EZA President Bartho Pronk

Last year ata meeting in Königswinter (Germany) the members of the European Centre forWorkers’ Questions (EZA) elected Bartho Pronk as their new president. As aformer member of the European Parliament and, before that, as an employee ofthe CNV International department, he is well acquainted with European socialand workers’ affairs. This is of importance for EZA as a network consisting of67 workers’ organisations from 24 different European Union countries that arecommitted to Christian social values.

Bartho Pronkholds office since the first of September of this year. For this reason EZA haspublished an interview with Bartho Pronk in its latest bulletin which can befound on the EZA website. In the interview he mentions two key-challenges forEZA. The first and most important challenge will be to find solutions for theimpact of the actual crisis in Europe, particularly with regards to employment.Average unemployment in Europe is about 10% but in some countries, as forexample Spain, unemployment reaches around 25% (whereas youth unemployment iscurrently approximately 40%). The second key challenge for EZA is “to involveits members in a process which shows that more can be achieved when we worktogether than when we don’t work together.”

With thefinancial support of the European Commission a lot of European training coursesand meetings are organized by EZA for trade unions and related workers’organizations annually. In spite of the different cultural backgrounds anddifferent stages of development of the European countries Bartho Pronk believes that theseEuropean courses and meetings help to develop common points of view and to lookfor new solutions for social problems on national and European level.

In theinterview Bartho Pronk makes clear that he considers the Christian socialdoctrine as a source of inspiration that helps to develop new answers to thesocial and economic problems of today. “Of course, not everything that was donein the last 30 years is invalid, but some things have to be re-assessed. Thesituation has changed in such a way that we have to take a good look at itagain.”

“The socialdialogue is hugely important for European integration. Why? Economic integrationis still a major part of European integration, and that requires employers andworkers. Although there were very many cultural differences in the past, wayswere found to negotiate. And in times of crisis it is absolutely vital that onthe one hand economic solutions are found to overcome the crisis but on theother hand social needs are also met. It happens to be the case, and we haveseen this before, that every time one country is in crisis, the countries thatseek a solution through social dialogue are more successful. It is always easyto say that the welfare state has to be abolished because it costs too much,but that's not the case. It ends up costing a great deal more than seeking a solutionthrough social dialogue. After all, in the final reckoning what matters are people,not the economy. The economy must not be allowed to harm people.”

Regardingthe Eurocrisis he believes that it is important for EZA to make studies becausethere is a lot of talking about this crisis, the biggest since the crisis ofthe 30’s in the past century, but some points are not discussed at all as forexample the role and responsibility of the USA in causing great part of theproblems.

Otherpoints that are mentioned in the interview are the aims of the Europe 2020 Strategy,the role of EZA and the enlargement of the EU and what possibilities he seesfor the future of EZA.

Bartho Pronk together with EZA vice-president Piergiorgio Sciacqua

· Youcan read the whole interview in different languages (German, Spanish, Englishand French) in the latest EZA bulletin which you can find on the EZA website. Thereyou will also find an interview with the newly elected EZA Vice-President Piergiorgio Sciacqua, President of theGeneral Council of the Movimiento Cristiano Lavoratori (MCL)

BLOODY ATTACKS AGAINST LATIN AMERICAN JOURNALISTS

2011-11-09T08:17:00.000-08:00

Journalists in the provinces of Puno arrive to Juliaca to express their condemnation of the attack against Feliciano Gutierrez Cruz.( La Republica, Peru)

The Latin American Federation of Social and CulturalCommunication Workers (FELATRACCS) has been informed about the criminal attackagainst journalist Feliciano Gutierrez Suca, correspondent of the newspaper"La República" in the city of Juliaca, Peru. FELATRACCS condemned theact and at the same time called on governments in the region to do everything possibleto stop this new wave of blood that has been unleashed in this part of theAmerican continent to the detriment of the freedom of press.

Recently on the 5^th of November, Gutierrez wasattacked by four men with fire arms wearing hoods, taking advantage ofthe night to shoot him at close range while grabbing his camera and mobilephone on which he kept actual information material.

All this is part of a sequel of attacks againstjournalists in Peru. The journalists Julio Castillo, Pedro Flores Silva andJose Oquendo Reyes have been killed this year by unknown persons. In this wayPeru joins Mexico and Colombia, where drugs trafficking and organized crimeperpetrate these crimes until now without being captured by governments.

Because of this spiral of violence the situation hasbecome uncertain. On November 1, in Chile, an explosive device was placedagainst the premises of the newspaper "La Tercera" of theCopesa Group, whose unions are members of FELATRACCS. The incident occurred inthe early morning hours. The police has a video that gives hope that thecriminals can be captured.

Another incident occurred on October 28 in San Pedro deSula, Honduras, where the journalist Eddie Andino from TV Channel 6 wasattacked by four thugs, who shot him with firearms from a moving car. He hasinjuries to his legs and back. This year alone in Honduras died 5 journalistsin full exercise of their profession.

In Cordoba, Argentine, journalist Maria Gracia andcameraman Raúl Martín Vicessi from Channel 12, were shot dead while filmingoutside a house in the outskirts of the city and interviewing a female victim ofharassment, aggression and assault.

It should be stressed that so far in Latin America atotal of 21 journalists have been murdered.

CHRONOLOGY OF THE EURO CRISIS

2011-11-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

The New Europe

1.In December2009 the Eurozone countriesdiscovered that the Greek governmentdebt amounts 300 billion Euros, ie almost113% of the total government budget.

2. In January 2010 it is determined that the Greek deficit isnot 3.7% but 12,7%. In theEurozone, Greece is invited to reducethe deficit. Corrective measures are announced. InFebruary, an IMF/EUmission goes to Greece: it predicts moreeconomic and financial misery, a higherdeficit and a recession of the Greekeconomy.

3. In March 2010 the Greek government announced an austerity package:VAT goes up2%, the bonus inthe public sector goes 30% down,taxes on fuel, tobaccoand alcohol go up and pensions are frozen. At the European summit, without going into details, one talks about a possible aid package toGreece.

4. In April 2010 the Eurozone presents a support package: a 30 billion loan facility from the EU and a 15billion loan facility from theIMF. It is based on a 3-year financing with an interest chargeof 5%. The samemonth, Greece asks for the promised loans.

5. In April 2010 the rating instituteStandard & Poor's lowers again the creditworthiness of Greece, and then also of Portugal. One begins to worry about infectingother countries like Spain and Italy.

6. In May the Eurozone, the IMF andthe Greek Government create an emergency plan forGreece of 110billion euros. Greece promises to reduce its expenses by 30 billion.

TheEU agreeson a package that will ensure financial stability.It agreed to a"special purpose vehicle", latercalled the European FinancialStability Facility (EFSF) of 440billion euros. The EFSF should be usedfor, among others, recapitalization of the banks. The EFSF should be ableto act on secondary markets toprevent contamination. It seemed to bring calm, but that is short lived.

TheEuropean Commission also announced measures that should prevent deficits in the national budget, the so-calledsix pack. Also sanctionsare laid down in European legislationthat makes it possible to punish the budget sinners.

7. In the same month Spain and Portugal announced budget cutswith the aim to restore the confidenceof the financial markets. The EuropeanCentral Bank (ECB) starts withinterventions and buys bonds from weak countries for a total of 165billion euros. Maintainingconfidence in the financial sector the European Summit announces a stress test for banks.Of the 91 bankstested, 7 banks do not meet thecriteria.

8. In the summer of 2010 it becomes clearthat Ireland also has problems. This is mainly due to themortgage loans from banks.A second Lehmandebacle threatens.

9. In November, Ireland received anaid package of 67.5 billion Euros. A blueprintfor a EuropeanStability Mechanism ESM is designed thatwill start functioning from 2013 onwards and which is open forprivate sector participation.

10. In March 2011, the European Summitestablishes rules for the ESM. Also the six pack preventionmeasures are decided to which President Sarkozy and Bundeskanzler Merkel are less strict than theEuropean Parliament, the European Commission and the FinanceMinisters from the Eurozone.

11. In May a rescue plan is set for Portugal of 78 billion euros.

12. In June the European Parliament approves the package of preventive measures.

13. In June 2011 the Greek Parliament votes in favor of a drastic austerity package.

14. In July 2011 another stresstest for banks is held. Noweight large banksfailed to meet the requirements. Anew emergency plan for Greece is setteld, worth 109 billion euros.It is decided that the financial private sector should also contribute inaddition to the 109 billion euro.

15. The ECB buys more andmore Italian and Spanishdebt (34 billion) and thus stretches its roleto prevent the intereston the Spanish and Italian debtcontinue to widen.

16. In October 2011, the Greek problem again is larger than expected. However, the country has cut back a lot. The 1913 budget will bebalanced. But the interests charged for loans are an excessive burden. The economic downturn ismuch larger than anticipated. Privatisationsare going to slow and do notgenerate enough money. Instead of 109 billion euro, one need 250 billion and when things go even worsethan about 444 billion will be needed on top of the 110 in July 2010. The choice now is a "haircut"of debts or a bankruptcyfor Greece. But volontary amortizationof financiers (banks) can bring them into trouble too.

17. The debt of Greece will be reduced to 120% ofthe national budget,to get there in 2020.

The EFSF with its 440 billionEuro in guarantees from which after contributions to Ireland and Portugal remains 290 billion Euros, will be increased to 1000 billion. Privateinvestors are invited to participate in the Stability Fund. The exact termes haveto be worked out.
The banks have to write off 50% of the moneyloaned to Greece. This will require 106 billion Euro. Banks willinitially look for this moneythrough the market, if it is not possible, theycan borrow money before the EFSF.
As of July 2013 or possibly earlierthe European EmergencyFund will have an amount of80 billion euros. The European Commission investigates thepossibility the release of eurobonds.

It has been agreed that each country adheres to the Stability Pact. Italyis committed to a balanced budget in 2013and a surplus in 2014 so government debt will be reduced to 113% of thebudget.
President of the European CouncilVan Rompuy, President of the European Commission Barrosoand President of theEurogroup Juncker prepare treaty changes. These areaimed to guarantee more financial stability and topromote more economic cooperation.

Thanks to the European Parliament memberRia Oomen-Ruijten

THE LIMA DECLARATION / DECLARACION DE LIMA

2011-10-28T02:18:00.000-07:00

During theThird Meeting of the Latin American Coordination of the World Organization ofWorkers CLAC-WOW (28 of September – 1 of October) in Lima, Peru the“Declaration of Lima” was approved (see: Latin American Trade Unionists meet inLima).

Durante la Tercera Reunión de la Coordinadora Latinoamericana de la Organización Mundial de Trabajadores CLAC-WOW (28 de septiembre - 1 de octubre) en Lima, Perú se aprobo la "Declaración de Lima" (ver:Latin American Trade Unionists meet in Lima).

The future of Peru (photo 29/09/2011 before the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, Lima)

DECLARATION OF LIMA

The Trade UnionOrganizations gathered at the Third Meeting of the Latin American Coordinationof the World Organization of Workers, held in Lima on 28, 29 and 30 September2011 note the following:

1. New technologies and globalizationhave generated relative economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean, butrates of unemployment, underemployment, informal workers, lack of socialprotection and poverty have not changed significantly and may worsen in thecontext of the global economic crisis.

2. In Latin America and the Caribbean,governments persist in establishing public policies regardless of theparticipation of trade unions, ignoring their role as social actors andprotagonists of profound change, as evidenced by the history of organizedlabour.

3. In this context, more than 50% ofyoung Latin American and Caribbean workers, between 15 and 25 years of age,lack the opportunities for entering the labour-market, and those who enter aposition, receive wages below the vital minimum and without any social securityprotection.

4. In labour-relations in our regionpersists gender inequality as well as discrimination for reasons of ethnicity,social position, age, among others.

5. The number of self-managed,autonomous male and female workers in Latin America and the Caribbean isgrowing, but they are in lack of a representative and effective organization toensure their rights against economic aggression of large corporate structuresand the inexistence of adequate social protection.

Given thissituation we declare the following.

1. As unions and social actors, we areactive participants in the formulation of public policies based on socialdialogue, which promote employment without discrimination whatsoever, theintegral social development and the creation of decent jobs.

2. We demand full compliance withinternational standards of protection of economic, social and cultural rightsof male and female workers, as established by the rules of the InternationalLabour Organization.

3. We demand government implementationof legislative and economic politics for the improvement of working conditionsfor all workers, with special attention to those most disadvantaged: women,youth, indigenous peoples, self-employed and self-managed workers amongstothers.

Lima,September 30, 2011

The young ones of Lima, Peru. (photo 29/09/2011 before the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, Lima)

DECLARACIÓNDE LIMA

LasOrganizaciones Sindicales reunidas en el III Encuentro de la CoordinadoraLatinoamericana de la Organización Mundial de Trabajadores, realizado en Limalos días 28, 29 y 30 de septiembre del 2011, señalamos lo siguiente:

Las nuevas tecnologías y la apertura económicamundial han generado un relativo crecimiento económico en América Latina y elCaribe, sin embargo las tasas de desempleo, subempleo, informalidad,desprotección social y pobreza no han variado significativamente y puedenempeorar en el contexto de la crisis económica mundial.

En América Latina y el Caribe, los gobiernospersisten en establecer políticas públicas al margen de la participación de lasorganizaciones sindicales, desconociendo su rol de actores sociales yprotagonistas de profundas transformaciones, tal como lo acredita la historiadel movimiento sindical.

En este contexto, más del 50% de jóveneslatinoamericanos y caribeños, entre 15 a 25 años de edad, carecen deoportunidades para acceder al mercado laboral, y aquellos que acceden aun puesto de trabajo, perciben remuneraciones inferiores al mínimo vitaly sin ninguna protección de seguridad social.

En las relaciones laborales de nuestra región,siguen persistiendo las desigualdades de género, discriminación que también semanifiesta por razones de origen étnico, sector social, edad, entre otras.

Las trabajadoras y los trabajadores autónomos yautogestionarios son colectivos en crecimiento en América Latina y elCaribe, pero carentes de una organización representativa y eficaz que vele porsus derechos frente a la agresividad económica de las grandes estructurasempresariales y la inexistencia de una protección social adecuada.

Anteesta situación, manifestamos lo siguiente.

1. Los sindicatos, en tantoactores sociales, somos sujetos activos para la formulación de políticas públicassobre la base del diálogo social, en las que se promueva el empleo sin discriminaciónalguna, el desarrollo social integral y la creación de puestos de trabajodecentes.

2. Exigimos el plenocumplimiento de los estándares internacionales de protección de los derechoseconómicos, sociales y culturales de los trabajadores y trabajadoras,reconocidos en la normativa de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo.

3. Exigimos a los poderes públicosla puesta en práctica de medidas políticas, legislativas y económicas para lamejora de las condiciones laborales de todos los trabajadores, prestandoespecial atención a aquellos sectores más desfavorecidos: mujeres, jóvenes,pueblos originarios, trabajadores autónomos y autogestionarios, entre otros.

Lima, 30de septiembre del 2011

THE HISTORY OF THE TRADE UNION NAPFE IN THE UNITED STATES

2011-10-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Paul Tennassee was invited by the World Organisation of Workers WOW to speak on the World Financial Crisis during a European seminar held in EU country Cyprus sponsored by EZA. You see Paul in the centre. On the left you see WOW President Roel Rotshuizen. Between Paul and Roel sits WOW Boardmember Piet Nelissen. WOW Executive Secretary Bjorn van Heusden sits on the right.

TradeUnionist and Academic Paul Tennassee was invited by President James M McGee ofthe National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees NAPFE to write thehistory of his union. NAPFE has already a long history. It was founded in 1913.So in two years more it will celebrate its centennial. Paul hopes to present inAugust 2013 a book with the complete history of 100 years of NAPFE.

RecentlyPaul presented his book on the history of NAPFE from 1913 until 1945 during aninterview on the TV station CaribNation. The interview with Paul can be seenand heard on YouTube. It takes you less than half an our to get to know betterPaul and of course the history of NAPFE. It is a very interesting historybecause this trade union history is interwoven with that of the struggleagainst racism in the United States.

MALTA WORKER'S UNION CONGRESS

2011-10-24T06:29:00.000-07:00

The outgoing board members are President Gaetano, Vice President Joseph S. Vella (right from Gaetano) and Secretary General Geatu Vella (centre). Left of Gaetu you see Jesmond Bonello, the new elected Persident, behind Gaetu Vella on the second row stands the new elected Secretary General Joseph Vella and also on the second row on the extreme left the newly elected Vice President Edwin Balzan.

Therewere three highlights on the 31 Congress of the Malta Workers’ Union UHM: theelection of a new President, Secretary General and Vice President, thepresentation of the report “People’s Social Vision for Malta” and a criticaldialogue with the three main political leaders of Malta.

Mara Erdelj with at her right Andrew who was so kind to translate everything said in Maltese into English.

MaraErdelj from Serbia and member of the European Board of WOW represented the WOWon the Congress together with WOW World Board member Piet Nelissen. She thankedthe UHM for its contribution “to WOW’s position in the ILO as well as in Europethe more so as UHM as a Maltese union is a bridge between Europe and countriesof the Mediterranean.” She also said that UHM is giving an example ofinternational solidarity with its proposal for “a project on training andeducation of leaders of democratic and independent unions in North African andother Mediterranean countries” that has been freed from dictators.” She wishedthat in the near future more Maltese women should be involved in trade union activities.

On the left you see Joseph FX Zahra who elaborated "People's Social Vision for Malta". In the outgoning board Jesmond was Assistant Secretary General. He was elected on the Congress as the new President.

Thesecond day of the Congress economist Joseph FX Zarah introduced the report“People’s Social Vision for Malta” starting with the observation that ‘TheEconomy is for man, not man for the economy.” The report covers six themes:education, health, the family, democratic institutions, electronic revolutionand better quality for life. The report is guided by “the need to factor in thehuman and social dimension in the country’s strategy with clear objectives tobe achieved during the coming decade, by highlighting a vision complacent tothe thinking, attitude, behavior and action of the human person within theEuropean 2020 strategy which is primarily hinged to economic objectives.” After extensivediscussion the report was unanimously adopted by theCongress.

Outgoing Secretary General Gaetu congratulates Josef with his election as the new Secertary General.

In the afternoon the results of the election werepresented to the Congress. Elected were Jesmond Bonello as President, EdwinBalzan as Vice President and Joseph Vella as Secretary General.

After the farewell speeches, outgoing President Tanti, Vice President Vella and Secretary General Vella were rewarded bythe conference participants with a sustainedapplause for their years ofdedication to the union.

During the extensive interviewof Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition Leader of the Labor Party JosephMuscat and Leader of the Party Alternativa Democratica Michael Briguglio andthe debates with the Congress we understood WOW that UHM plays an importantrole in the national social dialogue on the economic and social future ofMalta.

Ofcourse elected Secretary General Joseph Vella had the honor to close theCongress.

SOLIDARNOSC AND THE STRUGGLE FOR THE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT AFTER COMMUNISM

2011-10-18T05:23:00.000-07:00

Writing on the death of former WCL secretary generalJan Kulakowski it came up to me to write this blog on the role Solidarnoscplayed in Central and Eastern European regarding trade union policy of the WCLand the ICFTU in the nineties of the last century until the merger of the WCLand the ICFTU in 2006.
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In May 1992 a WCL mission visited Moscow, where ithad a meeting with dissidents and intellectuals who under the name of CMOT hadstruggled for trade union freedom, for the first time. The conversation tookplace in an apartment of one of the members of CMOT. On the right-hand-side ofthe photo sits WCL Vice President Kristoff Dowgiallo.

Thanks to its Polish Belgian general secretary Jan Kulakowski, the WorldConfederation of Labour – WCL, developed excellent relations with the Polishtrade union Solidarnosc and its famous president Lech Walesa. Because of thesegood relations it was believed that the WCL, as a social Christian orientedWorld Confederation, would have a future in Central and Eastern Europe, andtherefore perhaps in all of Europe. Solidarnosc had, however, not only becomean affiliate of the WCL, but also of the competing International Confederationof Free Trade Unions – ICFTU. Within the ICFTU, Solidarnosc had specialrelations with and support of the North American trade union federationAFL-CIO, which together with the US Government had supported it from the startof its rebellion against the Communist dictatorship

The highlight of this friendship between Solidarnosc and the WCL was thevisit of Solidarnosc President Lech Walesa to the World Congress in Caracas,Venezuela in 1989. As to confirm the good relations Kristoff Dowgiallo ofSolidarnosc was elected vice-president of the WCL. As vice-president he led severalmissions to Central and Eastern European countries as well as Russia. I was oneof the delegates joining him on these missions. During these mission we met alot of leaders of newly-established democratic and independent unions. Theresult was that after a while a number of unions in countries such asLithuania, the Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakiajoined the WCL.

In September 1993 a delegation, led by WCLSecretary General Carlos Custer, visited Polish President Lech Walesa, formerPresident of Solidarnosc. (At the head of the table President Lech Walesa.Beside him an official translator. At her left WCL Secretary General CarlosCuster. Next to him an interpreter of Solidarnosc and myself. On its backKristoff Dowgiallo and to his left Teresa Szabza of Solidarnosc).

Despite these good relations slowly but surely tensions emerged on theWCL policy in Central and Eastern Europe. Those were caused by the fact thatthe WCL succeeded in affiliating some new democratic and independent unionswhich were courted also by the AFL-CIO. One example is the affiliation to theWCL of the Hungarian trade union confederation Munkastanascok. This union washighly sought after for by the AFL-CIO as I later learned from the leadershipof Munkastanascok as well as from some AFL-CIO officials who told me thisduring a lunch in Washington. Another example was the affiliation to the WCL ofthe Ukrainian confederation VOST.

In March 1993 the WCL organized a seminar inBudapest for some new democratic, independent unions in Central and EasternEurope and Russia. (Second from left Bogdan Hossu, president of the Romaniantrade union confederation Cartel Alfa. Next to him on the right Imre Palkovics,president of the Hungarian Trade Union Confederation Munkastanascok. Second next tohim on the right Bob Fielding, North American and Polish from the AFL-CIO and working at theInternational Department of Solidarnosc).

Another example were the confrontations with regardsto the Baltic States. The Scandinavian unions affiliated to the ICFTU,considered the WCL activities in the Baltic countries, where the WCL developedfriendly relations with different new democratic and independent unions, asinappropriate. A high ranked official of the Swedish LO told me that the Balticcountries belong to the Scandinavian trade unions and not to the WCL. At thesame time an AFL-CIO official regularly visited the Lithuanian trade unions.

The struggle for the international affiliation ofCentral and Eastern European trade unions, as well as Russian unions, becamemore severe and foul with the years. During a joint WCL/ICFTU mission toBelarus in order to support democratic independent unions in their struggle fortrade union freedom and the right to strike against the authoritarian PresidentLukashenko, ICFTU delegates gave much more money than was agreed upon.

At the end of nineties, and more and more openly, Solidarnoscstarted to support the idea of a merger between the WCL en the ICFTU. During aWCL Confederal Board Meeting in Paraguay, Solidarnosc openly advocated a mergerwhile many WCL unions were against this. It became also clear that the BelgianChristian Trade Union ACV supported the idea of a merger between the WCL andthe ICFTU into a new international confederation. In 2006 (Vienna) the WCL aswell as the ICFTU decided with vast majorities to disband themselves and tofound the new international confederation ITUC.

LATIN AMERICAN TRADE UNIONISTS MEET IN LIMA

2011-10-12T02:36:00.000-07:00

ThreeWOW affiliated trade union federations in Latin America organized at the end ofSeptember ‘The Third Meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Coordination of the WorldOrganization of Workers’ (CLAC – WOW) in Lima, Peru on “ Trade Union Movement,Employment, Decent Work and Social Dialogue”.

The delegation of the Latin American Federation of Bank Employees (FELATRABS) in Lima

Traditionallythe meeting started with separated board meetings of each of the participatingFederations. In the afternoon the coordination meeting was opened withgreetings of president Roberto Mejia of FELATRACS, also president of theNational Association of Journalists of Peru (ANP) that hosted the meeting,president Maritza Chireno of FETRALCOS, Miguel Duche of FELATRABS and WOWpresident Roel Rotshuizen.

The majority of participants stayed in the building of the ANP, where they had breakfast together.

Participants came from all over Latin America likeArgentine, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Panama, Mexico, DominicanRepublic and Curacao.

In theafternoon all participants visited the University 'Jaime Bausate y Meza'. Thisuniversity was founded by the ANP with the aim to offer a highly qualifiedtraining for journalists working in all kinds of social media and othermedia-related professions. Recently the Peruvian Government has recognized the university officially as an academic institution.

The Symphony Orchestra of the National Police of Peru

At the end of the afternoon the Symphony Orchestraof the National Police of Peru gave a special concert for the participants ofthe meeting and the students of the university.

Popa Matamula, Tanzania.

After the concert anexposition of cartoons “ Freedom of Press in the World” at the University 'Jaime Bausate y Meza' was officially opened.

On the left site Dr. Angel Garcia Peres from ISCOD-UGT-Area Andina. On the right Guillermo Derma of the ILO in Peru.

The nextday in the morning some excellent speakers introduced the themes of the seminar. Dr. Angel Garcia Peris talked about "New times to come for the trade union movement", Guillermo Dermo about "Employment and decent work" and DanielPujol Garcia, also from the ILO office in Peru, talked about "Social dialogue as the key to human development".

The speeches were followed by lively debates

After thesedebates inthe afternoon the participants approved a declaration on employment, decentwork and social dialogue.

October 1, a special day for Peruvian journalists.

WOW President Roel Rotshuizen visiting the radio studio of ANP in Lima

By Peruvianlaw the first of October has been declared as “the Day of the Journalist”.

The day started with a visit to the radio studio of ANP in Lima that covers all of Peru.

A wreath of flowers of the ANP is placed on the monument commemorating the martyrs of Uchurruccay.

Following was a commemoration of the 8martyrs of Uchuraccay on the graveyard ‘El Angel’ in Lima.

De seminar participants waiting to start the commemoration at the graveyard 'El Angel" in Lima.

In 1983 sevenjournalists and their guide were murdered during their visit to the puebloUchuruccay in the Peruvian mountains were days before many innocent citizenswere murdered. A special committee presided by the famous Peruvian novel writerVargas Llosa did not succeed to clarify who murdered the journalists.

Next to the commemoration a Holy Mass was celebrated in a church in the centre of Lima. The Holy Mass was dedicated to the twomembers of parliament and former journalists who took the initiative in 1951 topresent a national law declaring the first of October as a special day dedicated to all Peruvian journalists.
At a special meeting in the afternoon, police reporter Juan Marcos Martinez was honored by ANP President Roberto Mejia for his dedication to journalism.

Police reporter Juan Marcos Martinez sitting at the left. ANP President Mejia standing in the middle.

THE NETHERLANDS: AGING OF LABOR MOVEMENT INCREASES

2011-10-10T08:20:00.000-07:00

The aging ofthe labormovement is growing. During thepast year, the number of union members of 65 years and older increased with 6.8 percent. The tradeunion movement is aging fasterthan the population, where the number of over-65s grew by 2.3 percent.Fourteen percent of union membershas reached retirement age, notifies the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) today.

For the first time since 1993 grew the number of union members younger than 25 years. Currently, 74000 young people are unionmembers. That's three thousandmore than last yearbut considerably lessthan twenty years ago. At that time ten percentof the youngpeople were members of the trade union movement, today it is only four percent.

Thenumber of union members between 45 and 65 years growssteadily since 2005. In proportion to the population,this group is overrepresented in the trade unions. Of all union members to65 years nearly sixty percent is between 45 and 65 years, while compared to the working age population this grouprepresents just over forty percent.On the other side, the proportion of trade union members between 25 and45 years has continuously shrunkto only 36 percent, while this group represents almost half ofthe working age population.

Thenumber of female union members has increasedsince last year with twenty thousandmembers. The increasing participationof women in the labor market makes that the number of femaleunion members is growing for twentyyears, from 332,000 in 1991 to 647,000 in 2011. Women represent today one third of all trade union members. On the other side, the number of male union members fell last year bynearly 14,000. Their numbers declinedlast twenty years almost constantly.

The unions grewthe last year with a total of five thousand members. In March thisyear the trade unions in the Netherlands have 1.9 million members.

Source: Marije Willems, NRC Handelsblad 10oktober 2011

REMEMBER JAN JERZY KULAKOWSKI

2011-10-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Jan jerzy Kulakowski (1930 - 2011)

Recently I was informed by a former colleague of theWorld Confederation of Labour (WCL) that the former secretary general of theWCL, Jan Jerzy Kułakowski, had passed away in Warsaw, Poland on 25 June 2011 followinga long illness. He was 81 years of age.

Jan Kułakowski had a remarkable career. And during hiscareer he never forgot about his Polish background. How could he? In 1944, whenhe was fourteen years old, he took part in the uprising in Warsaw as a LiaisonOfficer of the BASZTA Regiment. After the war he fled to Belgium where hestudied Law at the Catholic University of Leuven. After his Doctor degree hejoined the Belgian Christian Trade Union ACV.

From 1976 to 1989 Jan Kułakowski worked as Secretary Generalof the Social Christian oriented WCL. Before that he had been the GeneralSecretary of the European Organization of the World Confederation of Labour.This European Organisation was disbanded (1976) because the WCL member-unionsbecame affiliated to the in 1973 founded European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).Exactly 40 years after the WCL itself was disbanded itself. Together with theSocialist-oriented International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) theymerged into the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in Vienna,Austria (2006).

Personally, I have spoken only occasionally with Jan Kułakowski.In the mid-seventies I was approached by him to join the WCL. In the ensuingconversation I got to know him as an amiable and modest man. Shortly after, however,I got the opportunity to be appointed as an assistant in a project of theInternational Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Costa Rican Institute for LandReform in Costa Rica. Since I wanted to gain more international experience, Idecided to accept this opportunity.

Our next conversation took place many years later (1995)during a reception at his home in Brussels. In the meantime he had becomeAmbassador of Poland to the EU, while I had become Confederal Secretary of theWCL. During the conversation we merely exchanged pleasantries on politics andthe WCL. At the reception I also had a lengthy conversation with the Britishtrade unionist John Monks, who later was elected as General Secretary of theETUC (2003). My plea for international trade union pluralism fell in arid soil.As I expected he was more orientated towards class-struggle and therefore focusedmore on unity than on plurality.

In the eighties of the last century Jan Kułakowski wasvery involved with the struggle of the Polish trade union Solidarnosc againstthe Polish Communist dictatorship. As Secretary General of the WCL Kułakowskiorganized strong international support for Solidarnosc. Particularly in theperiod that it was banned from public life by the Polish Communist Government.At the end Solidarnosc succeeded to defeat the Communist Government through peaceful actions. After the fall ofCommunism in Central and Eastern Europe in 1989, he became the first PolishAmbassador to the EU. As such, he was closely involved in the negotiations onPoland's accession to the EU. Because of his involvement and commitment to solidarity,he was appointed as honorary member of Solidarnosc. Later he became an Memberof the European Parliament for Poland (2004-2009).

As has been stated by President of the EuropeanCommission, José Manuel Barroso, Jan Kułakowski was a great Pole, “who was alsoa distinguished and respected European diplomat, intellectual and humanist. Hisname is a symbol for Poland’s accession to the EU. Jan Kułakowski was alsoamong his people’s first representatives in the European Parliament”.

Jan Kułakowski was a great European and Internationaltrade unionist who believed in international solidarity strongly supporting Solidarnoscwhen it was needed most. We should not forget him.

With thanks to reporting by: ACV, Euronews, European Commission, EuropeanLiberals and Democrats

(To be continued)