As the activities for the International Action Day against Unemployment for Dignified work have concluded, photos, materials and media reports from around the world continue to reach the Central Offices.
Below we give you some highlights from the events in every country demonstrating that a strong message was sent from all corners of the world by a united class-oriented and militant trade union movement joining workers and unemployed in contemporary and vital demands for the immediate protection of the unemployed and for dignified permanent and stable work.
This article will be updated with more information.
More photos from all the events here.
DR Congo
DR Congo
Turkey
1000 Nakliyat-İş members stopped working and made a demonstration for 3rd October International Action Day in Topkapı/Ambarlar İstanbul. According to the President of the union and President of TUI Transport: "Struggling against unemployment for secured and dignified work means struggling against imperialism and Capitalist system".India
The workers of Delhi observed International Action Day by holding a procession with the slogan of this year to fight against unemployment, for stable employment and for dignified work. The procession began from AITUC Bhawan and reached to culminate in a meeting at BTR Bhawan Hall (CITU Office). The participating organizations included AITUC, CITU, AIUTUC, UTUC, AICCTU, TUCC, TUI (Finance), TUI (Construction) sectors and others. The speakers deplored that the market driven forces are more and more responsible for increasing unemployment for giving more profits to companies at the lesser costs of the labour. The neo liberal economic model is being pursued in India for more than two decades has failed to address the issue of unemployment as this model is increasing leaps and bounds this surplus labour force. Com. G.L. Dhar, Secretary, AITUC in his deliberation said that the incumbent govt. has brought ‘achhe din’ for big corporate houses and the workers are being made to pay for that and hence bad days are ahead for them. He called upon the workers to strengthen their united movement to challenge the govt. policy and push for anti labour reforms. Com. A.K. Padmanabhan, President CITU said that we are not only asking for employment but a decent and dignified work with proper wages and social security. We need to pursue this subject for the whole year to expose the govt. policies which are the reasons for increased unemployment. Com. R.K. Sharma, Secretary, AIUTUC said that the capitalist system breeds surplus labour force which results in more of unemployment and under employment with increased exploitation of the work force. Com. Santosh Rai, Secretary, AICCTU condemned the policy of the conractualisation for a few hours to the cleaning staff whereas the PM Mr. Modi dramatized the whole issue of cleanliness. The PM is serving the cause of foreign and Indian capital, he said. Com. R.S. Dagar, leader of UTUC said whatever the laws are existing are violated and above of it, now this govt. wants to do away with that also creating a situation of extreme exploitation. The meeting was presided over by a Presidum consisting of Amarjeet Kaur, Secretary, AITUC, Hemlata, Secretary, CITU, Harish Tyagi, Secretary, AIUTUC, V.K.S. Gautam, leader of AICCTU, Shatrujeet Singh, leader of UTUC. Amarjeet Kaur introduced the subject of the International Action Day and significance of observing this day as the foundation day of the World Federation of Trade Unions which was founded on 3rd October, 1945-Post Second World War. She informed that this day is observed every year on workers specific demands in whole of the world.Brazil
The UST held meeting that discussed the importance of the International Action Day for the international trade union movement, the history of the WFTU and its contribution to freedom of mankind, with the presence of more than 10 labor unions and two trade union federations. According to UST President, Carlos Borges, unemployment in Brazil is low, however the most aggravating jobs are low-paying and the purchasing power of the worker is dropping.El Salvador
Greece_
With mass rallies and a massive demonstration in Athens concluded today the twodays activities of PAME in 54 cities of Greece denouncing the fact that 1,500,000 people are unemployed, 850,000 are not being paid although employed and more than 300,000 are employed with social security. In its statement PAME notes its demands: "-Unemployment benefits at 600 euros, for all unemployed people without terms and preconditions, for the whole period of unemployment -Nobody should work with salaries less than 751€. Nobody should work without health insurance, without collective contracts. Sectoral salaries should be set in the levels before 2009 -All the needs of the Insurance Funds must be met by the State and the employers. We demand full state guarantees for all pensions and benefits. The lowest pension should be at 600€ -All the anti- labour acts, all the laws against health insurance, industrial relations, all the laws affecting pensions, wages and salaries must be abolished. -All the taxes which affect pensions and salaries, suffocating people, must be abolished."Colombia_
To mark the 69 years of the WFTU and in solidarity with Huber Ballesteros who remains imprisoned, WFTU cadres in Colombia organized an awareness campaign in a central square. The International Solidarity Campaign of the WFTU to free Huber Ballesteros is ongoing and unions around the world are motivated to actively express their solidarity with protests in embassies and consulates of Colombia.Peru_
In the morning of October 3rd, CGTP Peru gathered trade unionists and members to hold a workshop in the Trade Union School Hall "Jose Carlos Mariategui". The panel was formed by Olmedo Auris (teachers union), Luis Villanueva (construction union) and Carlos Jimenez (public sector union) who all agreed on the need for further training in the class unionism and for the further empowerment of the CGTP and the FSM to struggle against the exploitative capitalis system . The moderator was Carmela Sifuentes, President of the CGTP, while Victor Gorritti Deputy Secretary General of the CGTP was also present.Guatemala_
Costa Rica_
In Costa Rica the unions affiliated to the WFTU joined this international effort to raise awareness among the population about the need to organize and fight for dignified work. A distribution of leaflets in various parts of the Capital, bus stops, parks, etc. was realized and a rally was held at the Plaza Juan Rafael Mora Porras (Juanito Mora).Brazil_
Russia_
At the declaration releashed from the outcomes of their Trade Union Conference, Union of Migrant workers in Russia notes: "We, the citizens of the countries of the destroyed Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in which unemployment was eliminated in the 30-ies of the last century, suffer from the re-born of capitalism in our states. It revived the vices overcome long ago including unemployment and lack of decent work for all, it forced us to leave our homes and become migrant workers. We, the members of the Trade Union of migrant workers, join our voice to the voice of fighting International Trade Union movement."Greece_
On the occasion of the International Action Day, PAME has organized a two-days campaign in 54 cities of Greece. Protests and piketlines where held today outside of the Ministry of Finance and the local Employment Offices while mass demonstrations will take place tomorrow 4th October all around the country.Nicaragua_
Palestine_
Multiform is the activity of the General Union of Palestine Workers all the previous days to spread the message of internationalist solidarity to the Palestinian people and to provide humanitarian support to those heavily impacted by the latest Israeli bloodshed.Pakistan_
Meanwhile at the WFTU Central Activity...
Photos from the activities of the trade unions around the world observing the International Action Day are now projected live, as the are uploaded to the WFTU Gallery in the Conference Hall of the Central Activity of the WFTU in Palmera, Portugal for all the participants to observe while they continue their works.
Bangladesh
Chile_
Panama_
Cyprus_
Outside of the European Parliament Offices in Larnaka a protest organize by all affiliates and friendly Organizations. Of great importance is the fact that this is the third time in a short period that Turkish-Cypriot and Greek-Cypriot workers march together surpassing all bariers and lines that seek to divide them to fight together for their rights, after this years 1st May demonstration and 1st September observation of World Day for Disarmament and Peace of the WFTU.India_
While demonstrations continue in many cities of India, workers in Punjab and Kandupar burned down a symbolic statue of unemployment. Strong participation of women and young people heavily affected by unemployment and anti-labour practices join the protests in India as well as other parts of the world.Chile_
South Africa_
Now public workers are gathered outside of the South African parliament as part of the multiform activities organized in all provinces of South Africa by NEHAWU. Accordingo to NEHAWU's earlier statement: "NEHAWU, a primary stakeholder in the public health sector will be marching tomorrow, 3rd October 2014, against the deteriorating state of the public health system. The marches will form part of the International Day of Action for Dignified Work ,as conceptualised by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). The 3rd of October marks the 69th anniversary since the formation of our militant and class-oriented workers’ federation, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)."Malaysia_
A strong and dynamic rally was organized in Kuala Lumpur by NUBE workers. "On this day, we expose the real causes of unemployment, we unite as one voice and we coordinate our action! We act now together as one mighty force of workers united to uphold workers rights in Malaysia." says in his statement J Solomon, General Secretary of NUBE and Coordinator of the new Subregional Office of the WFTU.Nepal_
A Trade Union Conference was held in Katmandu by CONEP.In the Press
"Militant workers of the world unite" reports British Morning Star newspaper. Read the article here
Lebanon_
Transport Workers in Lebanon send a message of solidarity hearing the call of the TUI Transport Workers to join the International Action Day.India_
CITU and other democratic Mass organisation jointly observed WFTU foundation day at Agartala in front of CITU office with the Presidentship of Com. Pijush Nag and Com. Subhash Ch. Saha.In the said meeting Com.Manik Dey,President of CITU, delivered his speech as a Chief Orator.Com. Sankar Dutta ,General Secretary,Com.Asim Pal and Com. Pijush Nag also addressed the meeting. Com.Manik Dey in his valuable speech stated that WFTU continuously performing responsibility to unite the Working people all over the World through struggle against the anti people policy and exploitation of Working Class,specially Un-enployment problem.He also narrated the present situation of our Country as a whole .He appealed to unite the Working Class and other toiling people to resist the anti-people and anti-working class policy of the present Govt. The said programme observed all over the State through similar meeting with mass gathering.Pakistan_
On the occasion of WFTU’s International Action Day, Peoples Trade Union workers Federation (PTUWF) organizes Rally on 3rd October,2014 from the Federation Office to Press Club The demonstrations will be held in front of Lahore Press Club: at 5.00.O OClock on the invitation of (PTUWF) Haji Muhammad saeed Arian Founder/Secretary General (PLF) and Malik Ali Umar Awan also address the Rally A Delegation of (PTUWF) will be participating in (PLF) National Seminar in Hotel Ambassador Lahore underway.Egypt_
Guyana_
Trade Unions of Guyana marched from the Bank of Guyana to GAWU's head office where a rally was held. President of GAWU and member of the Presidential Council, Komal Chand, addressed the rally allong with ministry of Labour Dr. Nanda Gopaul, President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) Carvil Duncan and General Secretary, Kenneth Joseph. "The trade unionist said that the WFTU’s Action Day 2014 finds the global working class facing greater hardships. The capitalist governments and the financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank have not found an “exit from the crisis” the world has been experiencing for years now. He added that the recipe proffered as solutions by the developed countries is the same: – cuts in pay, pension-cuts, austerity, drastic reduction of social rights and amenities and unemployment. Thus, burden of the crisis, clearly, is placed on the backs of the working-class to fetch" reports Kaieteur News.