Com.George Mavrikos, General Secretary, WFTU, addressed the Indian Trade union leaders..

The WFTU has completed 75 years of it’s militant existence. On this occasion, Com.George Mavrikos, General Secretary, WFTU, addressed the Trade Union leaders of India yesterday. He spoke for 50 minutes and dealt with many important issues. The following are the important points.

 

• I recognise the role of Indian trade unions and their class oriented movement. Indian trade unions are strong, politically and ideologically.

 

• I appreciate the Indian trade unions for organising militant struggles against the Neo-Liberal Policies.

 

• 250 million workers (25 crore) participated in the General Strike held in India in January, 2020. The recent strikes that have taken place in the Defence, Coal and Petroleum sectors are praiseworthy.

 

• The demands of the strike being organised by Indian trade unions on 26^th November, 2020, are very crucial. WFTU is with you in this struggle. We will organise solidary action throughout the world, in favour of this strike.

 

• The struggles taking place in India, strengthen the fight against exploitation taking place in other countries also.

 

• WFTU is having 105 million (10.5 crore) membership of workers in 130 countries. It is having 11 Trade Union Internationals (TUIs) representing workers of different sectors.

 

• Biggest membership of WFTU family is from India. Out of the total 7 Secretariat Members of the WFTU, two are from India.

 

• The WFTU is fighting against the multinational corporates, which are exploiting the workers throughout the world . The WFTU is also raising it’s voice against the imperialist interventions in Korea, Cuba, Latin American Countries, the Middle-East, etc.

 

• More than 38 million (3.8 crore) people are affected by the Corona Virus Disease, throughout the world. More than one million (10 lakh) people have already died. Most of the people who have died are the poor. This is the ugly face of capitalism. Even in death, capitalism is unfair.

 

• While the poor and workers are suffering in this Covid-19 pandemic situation, the wealth of the corporates has increased by 27%.

 

• More funds should be allotted to strengthen the Public Health Services. To do this, the military expenditure should be minimised.

 

• WFTU demands that, a fast and safe vaccine for COVID-19 should be made available free of cost to all the people.

 

• Donald Trump acts in front of the camera, but the poor people in the United States are suffering.

 

• At the same time, Cuba, which is a small socialist country, has helped more than 45 countries, by sending their doctors and medicines.

 

• Socialism gives humanity to the world, while imperialism only gives cruelty.     

 

• Next Congress of the WFTU, which will be the 18th Congress, will be held in Vietnam in 2021.

 

• WFTU is a poor  union, but rich in ideology. WFTU’s financial position is bad. It needs financial help from workers. We should strengthen our trade unions and we should strengthen the WFTU.

[Date : 15 - Oct - 2020]