MAY DAY MESSAGE, FROM THE WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS

On the occasion of May Day 2004, the WFTU conveys its fraternal greetings of international solidarity to working people and trade unions in all countries, wishing them success in their struggles for a better life, in a better world.

As the world’s trade unions and other social organisations proclaimed in recent years, a better world is, indeed, possible and is necessary. The clear aims of the working people and trade unions and their determination to pursue this struggle are abundantly illustrated by the nation-wide trade union actions and strikes in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, in recent years against unemployment, poverty, hunger and disease and to defend their rights, their jobs and their economic and social demands.

These demands to eliminate the terrible social consequences of imperialist globalisation were reiterated at the World Trade Union Forum and other trade union meetings organised in the framework of the World Social Forum in Mumbai early this year. On this May Day, let us further strengthen our efforts to unite our forces in the struggle for our economic and social demands for peace, the rights of nations and peoples and for social progress!

Together, let us demand and insist that all nations abide by international law and the UN Charter and denounce continuing policies of the militarism and war pursued by the Bush Administration in the United States and its close ally, the Israeli regime illegally occupying Arab lands in Palestine, Syrian Golan and remaining part of South Lebanon and indulging in gross violation of human rights and international law. The foreign occupation of Iraq by the US and its allies should end as soon as possible, restoring national sovereignty. The country’s administration and the building of an independent, free and democratic Iraq, should be entrusted to its own people.

Together, let us demand that all Member States of the ILO implement international labour standards and take firm action against the perpetrators of physical attacks and assassinations of trade unionists.

Together, let us demand the implementation of the recommendations made by the ILO Commission on Globalisation.

Together, let us demand that the UN resumes work on a Code of Conduct to regulate the activities of the transnational corporations, ensuring that these corporations implement international labour standards, especially on the right of association of their workers and right to collective bargaining.

Together, let us demand a serious review of the policies of globalisation, and an end to the so-called liberalisation and privatisation and demand that all Member States of the UN take effective steps to implement policies outlined in the UN’s Millennium Goals.

Together, let us demand an immediate end to all forms of aggression and occupation, the embargoes and threats against sovereignty of countries like Cuba, Iran, Syria, DPRK and other countries as well as the suppression of people’s rights.

Together, let us demand Disarmament for Development - as was agreed at the United Nations by all Member States and work towards A Better World that is, indeed, possible and necessary.

Above all, on the occasion of May Day 2004, let us further strengthen our resolve to promote world trade union united action and trade union unity to advance the rights, interests and demands of the working people, and to build peace, economic and social development all over the world!

WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS

P.O.Box No.80, Pisnice, CZ-14201 PRAGUE 4, Czech Republic

Phone: (420) 24446 2140; Fax: (420) 24446 1378, E-mail: wftu@login.cz

Internet : www.wftu.cz

20.04.2004
Collective Bellaciao