MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
International Trade Union Confederation May Day Statement - 2016
”When political and corporate leaders conspire to hide the vast wealth of the 1%, avoiding the taxes that are the bedrock of social protection, then all are vulnerable. 
“When global trade relies on exploiting the majority in insecure, low-paid and often unsafe work in supply chains, then the world is on the wrong path”. 
“When people seek refuge from conflict created by dictators clinging to power or from economic desperation, then we must support and welcome them” ”Today is a day to celebrate the achievements that through generations union men and women have won: peace, democracy, rights and decent work for millions of people.
But even as we celebrate the successes and triumphs of the great tradition of trade union solidarity, we know that the challenges faced by people across the world require collective strength and commitment to carry forward the fight for democratic rights and freedoms, equality and social justice.
“When political and corporate leaders conspire to hide the vast wealth of the one per cent, avoiding the taxes that are the bedrock of social and economic development and the basis for social protection – support for the unemployed, health, education, child care, aged care and many other public services – then all are vulnerable.
”When global trade relies on exploiting the majority in insecure, low-paid and often unsafe work in supply chains to secure yet more wealth for the global elite, then the world is on the wrong path.
“When people seek refuge from conflict created by dictators clinging to power or from economic desperation, then we must support and welcome them, and demand that our governments play their part in removing the causes of the conflicts and economic desperation that blight the lives of hundreds of millions.
”When corruption, exploitation, inequality and environmental destruction are the hallmarks of the global economy, then the values of the trade union movement provide hope, and set the standards required for transforming the world into a place where people come first and where the generations to come inhabit a sustainable world.
“On this May Day, many will march under banners for freedom and against conflict and slavery, many will rally for justice for refugees, many will stand firm for minimum living wages and collective bargaining and oppose corporate greed, many will demand climate justice and many will welcome refugees. Uniting all these are the fundamental principles of equality and social justice which inspire the actions of trade unionists every day.
”The collective voice and action of union women and men all over the world will continue to fight the corporate greed which fuels attacks on workers’ rights, the enslavement of people, the corruption of tax evasion and the destruction of public services. Where our governments fear corporate power, we will stand up for democracy and an end to corporate greed. We will act for a truly inclusive future where prosperity is shared, where the planet on which we live is protected and where the common good is supreme”.
The ITUC represents 180 million workers in 162 countries and territories and has 333 national affiliates.
Top Comments
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Read all commentsThe trouble comes when the unions get so powerful ( generally due to someone who thinks he is always right ) and try to dictate to industry. the unions then stifle investment as the companies struggle to make ends meet.
May 01st, 2016 - 09:21 am 0@1 golfcronie
May 01st, 2016 - 10:40 am 0Agreed. Unions are important to help maintain the rights of the workers BUT that is all they are for.
The unions in the UK destroyed our manufacturing base, steel industry and mining industry back in the 60's & 70's, and then they have the audacity to blame Maggie Thatcher for it!! Absolute insanity.
All she did was put the dying industries out of our (the taxpayers) misery. But these industries were destroyed by greedy union officials who forgot that they were there to serve their union members but instead decided that the union members (aka the workers) were there to serve the union's political ambitions.
Many of the UK's union leaders were actually accepting bribe money from the then Soviet Union, who's directive to them was to destroy Britain's industry, so that the country would collapse into chaos, thus wiping out one of it's perceived enemies.
And the unions did just that. What the Soviets didn't count on was Maggie Thatcher dragging the UK back from the precipice. What she did was economically brutal and hard on people in the short term, but in the long term it worked and it saved the country.
Many on the far left didn't (and still don't) understand the consequence of a country going bankrupt. It means no money for public sector workers, no money for education, policing, hospitals, infrastructure, local government or the armed forces. And that leads to chaos and civil disorder (even civil war), or even the military taking over (sound familiar?). Hence why the IMF strives to stop countries going bankrupt.
One thing I will note is I doubt there are many British 'workers' at any of these marches. I mean it's Sunday, that's the day off for most of them, and the others will be at work!
The greedy Unions destroyed Detroit and almost destroyed the US Car Industry. There's no need for Unions any longer.
May 01st, 2016 - 12:10 pm 0Most work rules, unfortunately, are codified.
I think the world would be much better served without so many rules, no minimum wage and the “right to work” anywhere.
Robots will quickly take over most menial labor soon anyway.
There's a big change coming.
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