SIGTUR

SIGTUR 8th Congress
Against Globalisation and for TU Rights!

Background of the Eighth Congress of Southern Initiative
on Globalisation and For T.U. Rights
to be held at Kochi
19th to 23rd April 2008

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions and its friendly organisation have decided to hold the Eighth Congress of Southern Initiative on Globalisation and Trade Union Rights at Kochi (Kerala) from 19th to 23rd April 2008. It is an important event in the struggle against capitalist globalisation and for Trade Union Rights we are expecting about 100 delegates from foreign countries would participate in the Congress while the Indian contingent is likely to be about 150. The Congress would review the ongoing struggles against globalisation all over the world and chalk out programme of action to strengthen the struggle.

The real face of globalisation is now clearly visible as never before. According to available data globalisation has given rise to extreme inequalities in the world arena at unprecedented level of concentration of wealth in the hands of few individuals while overwhelming majority of the population is living in harrowing conditions of life. It is admitted internationally that one per cent of the global population has cornered 40 per cent of the total wealth in the world while 50 per cent of the world population is living a poverty stricken life with only one per cent of the global wealth. In India too, 48 billionaires in dollars control nearly 30 per cent of the national income while 40 per cent of the children in the country are anemic which shows the shocking impact of globalisation on the living condition of the mass of our population. According fortune magazine in USA out of 10 richest persons in the world 4 are from India which in Japan the number is only 2.

Top 20 per cent of the world population living in advanced capitalist countries has cornered 85 per cent of the world income. While bottom 20 per cent is living on only 1.3 per cent of the world income. This exposes the claim of a "global village" as advocated by the supporters of globalisation. The World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisations have become instruments of "global village". As one African delegate in the UNCTAD meeting correctly pointed out that what is taking place in the world is "blood transfusion in reverse". Blood is sucked out from the poverty stricken countries in the world and injected into the advanced capitalist countries!

IS GLOBALISATION IRREVERSIBLE?

The tall talk that globalisation is irreversible is meaningless. The present stage of globalisation is unsustainable and unacceptable because it has imposed additional miseries on the working people of the world. Working class and the people in the world are bound to rise against the policies of globalisation and neo-liberalism since their living conditions are growing becoming intolerable. Downsizing of manpower outsourcing of regular jobs to cheap labour through contract system, entailment of social security measures and deterioration of working conditions, utter neglect of occupational health of the workers, restraint of wage rise of the workers and attack on trade union rights to marginalize the trade union movement have become the order of the day.

Dismantling, privatisation and disinvestments of public sector have helped the private sector companies to enhance their profitability by unheard of loot of public assets. The reckless entry of multi-national corporations in domestic sector ruining the indigenous industry has strengthened the grip of foreign capital over the national economies of the developing countries.

The UNDP has rightly characterized the present economic development in the world as an indication of "futureless growth". Thousands of hectors of forests are denoted every year for housing construction, furniture making and manufacturing of paper. With the absence of new programme of planting of trees the atmospheric pollution has increased phenomenally. The emission of carbon dioxide by several factories coming every year, along with impure air coming out of exhausts of millions of cars have dangerously added to the carbon dioxide content of atmosphere causing global warming and green house effect. The rise in temperature is resulting in melting of snow in Antarctic and Arctic seas which are threatening the increase in sea level and consequent threat of flooding of several cities on the shores of seas all over the world. The atmospheric pollution is affecting health of the working population. The pollution of rivers has given rise to the increase in waterborne diseases of the people.

Globalisation has immensely increased the power of multi-national corporations. As Prof. Joseph Stiglitz has noted, "For many people, multi-national corporations have come to symbolize what is wrong with globalisation, many would say they are primary cause of its problems. These companies are richer than most countries in the developing world. In 2004, the revenues of US car company General Motors were $191.4 billion, greater than GDP of more than 148 countries. In its fiscal year ending 2005, U.S. retailer Wal-Mart’s revenues were $285.2 billion, larger than combined GDP of sub-saharan Africa. These corporations are not only rich but politically powerful. If Government decides to tax or regulate them in ways they don’t like, their threaten to move elsewhere. There is always another country that will welcome they tax revenues, jobs and foreign investment" – (Making Globalisation Work Pages 187-188)

THE KYOTO PROTOCOL

The USA is the largest polluter of air in the world accounting for 25 per cent of all the green house gases. For example, Wyoming the least populous state in USA with a population of half a million emits more carbon dioxide than 74 developing countries with a combined population of nearly 400 million while Texas another state in USA with a population of 22 million exceeds the emission of carbon dioxide of 120 developing countries with a combined population of over 1.1 billion people. Unless these emissions are reduced drastically the future of the world will be dark.

Under these circumstances in 1997 in the city of Kyoto in Japan heads of the state of 150 countries adopted what is known as Kyoto Protocol cutting back emissions of carbon dioxide from 1990 levels by several countries by 2012 which includes Europe by 8 per cent USA by 7 per cent and Japan by 6 per cent. It however did not visualise cutting back of emission levels by developing countries. Though USA signed the declaration the Government later on decided not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Thus the largest polluter of atmosphere in the world is refusing to protect the future of the people of the world and TU movement all over the world cannot ignore this aspect in their movement for a cleaner globe.

WHITHER MILLENNIUM GOALS

According to official estimate developing countries owe $1.5 million to World Bank, IMF and International Banks. The repayment liabilities are so large that less funds are available for economic development.

In September 2000, when the world entered a new millennium heads of the state of 150 countries assembled in the Millennium Summit at United Nations and adopted a declaration known as Millennium Development Goals which pledged to reduce poverty by half till 2015. The Eight millennium Goals included 1) eradication of poverty and hunger 2) to achieve universal primary education 3) to promote gender equality and empower women 4) to reduce child mortality 5) to improve material health 6) to combat HIV/AIDS malaria and other diseases 7) to ensure environmental sustainability and 8) to develop a global partnership for development.

Half the period to achieve the millennium goals are already over but there is not much visible progress to achieve this goals. It is now openly admitted that these goals are not likely to be achieved. On the contrary the condition in several developing countries are likely to deteriorate due to the policies of globalisation.

Under these circumstances unless the policies of globalization are reversed the struggle to eliminate poverty is not likely to achieve any progress. The trade union movement in the world to-day is facing a challenging situation. It must face these challenges squarely and defeat the policies of globalisation if the interests of the working class is to be fully protected.

Effective struggle against globalisation is possible only by developing and strengthening of international solidarity by the trade union movement. Southern Initiative on Globalisation and Trade Union Rights (SIGTUR) is a modest attempt to develop such a solidarity. Despite difficulties the solidarity has been growing resulting in emerging resistance to the policies of globalisation.

CITU'S CONTACTS WITH WESTERN AUSTRALIAN UNIONS

CITU's contact with Western Australian Trade Union Council was developed in early nineties through a research scholar from University of Western Australia. Ms. Donna White wrote to CITU about her visit to India in connection with a research project and she asked help from CITU to find some material regarding working conditions in India. The CITU readily agreed to help her. She was deeply impressed by the help given by the CITU and kept regular contacts with us. Later her husband Rob Mecham, who was also a research scholar, visited India an informed us that the Western Australian Trade Union Council was led by leftist elements and they would like to keep regular contacts with CITU. The CITU welcomed the proposal.

The CITU was invited to attend the Indian Ocean Regional conference at Perth. The CITU nominated Chittabrata Majumdar and Tapan Sen in the delegation. We were later informed to send one artist who could sing Indian songs. The CITU nominated Mangala, grand daughter of Com. E.M.S. Namboodiripad, who sang several progressive songs from India The Indian delegation created a good impact in the conference and relations between CITU and Western Australian Trade Union Council were strengthened further.

In 1988, the Western Australian Trades and Labour Council (WATLC), an affiliate of Australian Council of Trade Unions, was extremely concerned about the process of economic liberalization and deregulation which was likely to affect the trade union rights of workers. It convened a meeting of some progressive academiecians of the University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Murdoch University to jointly work out an appropriate strategy of solidarity action to meet the challenges of the situation. A sub-committee of the academicians proposed to call a conference of union leaders in Indian Ocean Region and applied for ILO funding. However, the ILO did not agree to provide funds for the proposal and the idea remained in cold storage.

Rob Lambert, who was actively associated in South Africa with Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the struggle against Apartheid regime, joined the Western Australian University in late 1988 and got in touch with WATLC and using his experience in South Africa proposed that the academic conference will not serve the purpose of developing international solidarity. The WATLC therefore decided not to pursue the idea of academic gathering but to give top priority in establishing and building contacts with genuine trade unions in Asian region that were fighting the policies of neo-liberalism.

During 1989 and 1990 Lambert visited countries in Asia and found common forms of subjugation and exploitation in the region, while trade union movement was facing brutal repression. Jay Naidoo then General Secretary of COSATU expressed the support to the proposal to bring the trade union movement opposed to the policies of globalisation on the common platform so that an international movement could be developed. It was therefore decided to hold a preliminary workshop to explore the possibilities of development of international solidarity movement.

FIRST WORKSHOP 1991 - PERTH

In May 1991 a small workshop was held in Perth (Western Australia) Twenty four delegates participated in it, half of them were from Australia. One third of the foreign delegates were from COSATU. KMU from Philippines joined the workshop while then newly established solidarity union from Indonesia joined the workshop. Arokia Das from Malaysia who was recently released from prison for participating in trade union activities also joined the workshop. There were delegates from Sri Lanka Pakistan and Papua New Guinea. The workshop felt the need for organizing solidarity action in the region to fight against the policies of globalisation and for trade union rights. It therefore emphasized the development of organizational strength at the workplace for organizing any action programme.

The Indonesian trade unions who participated in the workshop later organized protest action demanding trade union rights outside ILO office at Jakarta. The protests, however, were followed by widespread repression by the military. Factory leaders were victimized. Leaders lost their jobs and had to face longdrawn interrogation by the army. The trade unions in the region expressed solidarity with their brothers in Indonesia.

The workshop evoked strong criticism in Australia. The National Civic Council (NCC) having strong Catholic Church links and active in the right wing of the Labour Party of Australia as well as Australian Trade Union movement launched a virulent attack against the workshop in their May 1991 journal Social Action in the following words:

"The initiative for the Conference came from the left of the trade union movement in Western Australia, and appeared to have a distinct WFTU flavour about it."

"The Soviet backed World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) has been anxious to build regional initiative between union allied and favourable to it and unions associated with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)." It further criticized the workshop that, "The delegates did not necessarily represent recognized trade unions in their respective countries."

ACTU President, Fergusson also characterized the workshop as unrepresentative and attended by unrecognized unions. The participants of the workshop however were determined to carry forward their objective to fight against globalisation and for trade union rights. They tried to contact other trade unions in the region who oppose the policies of globalisation and they got positive response from trade unions of different countries.

The critics were opposed to any determined struggle against globalisation policies and wanted to function within the framework of globalisation. The working class in Australia from their practical experience in their country veered round the concept of opposition to globalisation. The enlarging attack on T.U. rights in Australia highlighted the urgency to fight for preserving T.U. rights won after bitter struggles in the past. The Indian Ocean Regional Co-ordination could not be stopped, it went ahead with more determination.

SECOND CONGRESS – 1992 PERTH

The Second International Congress after launching of Indian Ocean Initiative was held at Perth in November 1992, which was attended by 140 delegates. For the first time the CITU participated in this congress. As stated in the website of SIGTUR, "The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) had a large delegation who contributed significantly to the debates." COSATU sent a nine member delegation led by Zwelinzima Vavi who later became General Secretary of COSATU. New countries, which participated in the congress, included countries like, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand. The Congress constituted Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) which as to meet once in a year to review the organizational activities and to chalk out programme for further action. The discussion in the Congress veered round the topic of denial of trade union rights in Asia and Africa and the struggles conducted by trade unions to achieve these rights. The Principles of the participation formulated by the RCC became popular among the Asian countries, which opened up vista of new form of international solidarity and co-operation.

The Regional Co-ordination Committee (RCC), formed after formation of Indian Ocean Initiative as a follow-up action of the workshop, chalked out principles for participation which included the following major points:

1. The organization participating must confirm the ILO conventions 87 (Collective Bargaining) and 151 (Public Employees).

2. "Unions which are established by the state or are part of the state which seek to control workers in the interest of capital and the state cannot be part of the initiative. Furthermore unions which are established with the assistance of employers and are dominated by employees, should be excluded."

3. This initiative will include unions, which are active at the grass roots level in organizing and representing the interests of the working class."

4. The initiative will not exclude or include unions/federations solely on the basis of their political and ideological orientation or their tactical and strategic goals within their countries, which aim to further the interests of the working class."

It therefore concluded, "To the extent that we achieve a principled and broad based inclusive orientation, we will become a forum of intense, creative debate on working class interests. In an era when the powerful forces of global capital and finance capital, represented by international institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank, are ranged against the working class movement, such an approach is of paramount importance. We must be a catalyst for dialogue and debate, as well as strategic initiative aimed at the protection and renewal of the working class movement."

Thus, the new initiative provided for a broad framework of the international trade union movement to protect the interests of the working class by fighting against the machinations of the capitalist class.

THIRD CONGRESS 1994 PERTH

The Third Congress was again held in Perth in 1994, which was participated by 140 delegates. The meeting was dominated by the question of repression on the trade union movement in Indonesia. The President of ACTU Ferguson advocated ties of friendship with unions bolstered by the military dictatorship on the plea that they could be reformed. However, 10 delegates who came from Indonesia were representing genuine democratic unions and were opposing Australian Governments, policy of supporting the scab unions. This was a serious threat to the very basis of formation of initiative itself. However, Ferguson could not carry forward his objective due to the firm stand taken by the national affiliates of ACTU who supported the stand of the democratic trade unions of Indonesia. The CITU supported the stand taken by the militant trade unions of Australia.

In 1995, conservative Government came to power in Australia, which passed laws curtailing drastically trade union rights at the workplace. The WATLC took initiative in organizing powerful regions campaign, which culminated in a protest march, which was participated by over 20 thousand workers.

The demonstration was addressed by the representative of COSATU who expressed firm solidarity with the Australian workers. The CITU sent fraternal message of solidarity with the Australian workers. The KMU also sent a message of solidarity stating that: "we are with you on the streets of Western Australia."

The SIGTUR website reported, "The Far Eastern Economic Review, carried an article headline Role Reversal: State attracts Asian criticism on workers rights. Rees, the author commented".

"When it comes to dishing out criticism of human rights, Australia is mere used to giving than receiving. But a … proposed labour legislation.... has reversed the usual roles. Answering the calls for support from their Australian counterparts, unionists in several Asian countries have demonstrated against the legislation since it was introduced."

The article took note of the fact that President of CITU M.K. Pandhe branded the proposed legislation, a "ruthless attack on workers rights." In protest note to the Australian High Commission in New Delhi Pandhe stated, "It is to our astonishment that the state government is going all out in its bid to disrupt industrial relations. This will tarnish the image of Australia" (Far Eastern Economic Review October 19, 1995)

FOURTH CONGRESS 1997 - KOLKATA

The CITU had the privilege to host the fourth Congress now it was named as Southern Initiative on Globalization and Trade Union Rights. The SIGTUR website had aptly described the Kolkata Conference in the following words:

"In the ensuring strategic debates, a new emphasis was placed on understanding the restructuring dynamics of industry sectors in order to more effectively work out ground strategy. The new dimension gained momentum within the network's Fourth Regional Conference hosted by CITU and held at Calcutta, India. The meeting of 260 delegates was a remarkable experience as CITU had mobilized its constituents. Banners and posters lined Calcutta's crowded streets and more than 20,000 workers participated in the opening events. CITU organized factory and community visits that revealed the unions, social base in West Bengal's working class. The meeting demonstrated the vitality and organizational capacity of union movement in a developing nation for it was no mean feat to organize and finance such a large meeting. This was the first meeting outside of Australia where the dynamic style and procedures were shaped by the Indian leadership.

"This was a learning curve for many delegations, bringing to their mind the importance of cultural awareness in the construction of a new internationalism. The success of the Indian meeting consolidated the vision of a Southern rather than a geographically bound network of democratic unions, where a southern identity denoted a political experience of exploitation and marginalisation than arose out of a particular position of subordination in the new global economy."

The SIGTUR website concluded, "The Indian meeting had another significant impact on the evolution of SIGTUR strategy. The 1997 workshop based meeting at Calcutta brought to the fore the devastating effect downsizing, outsourcing, casualisation and the privatization of state assets on the condition of the working class across all sectors and all countries, the workshop outcomes provided a damning indictment of the social and economic impacts of neoliberal globalization."

All major trade unions in India participated in the meeting. Among them were Umraomal Purohit (HMS), Subrata Mukherjee(INTUC) and H.Mahadevan (AITUC), Jyoti Basu, Vice-President of CITU was the main speaker in the inaugural meting at Indoor Stadium.

FIFTH CONGRESS : JOHANNESBURG 1999

The Fifth Congress of SIGTUR was held in Johannesburg (South Africa) which was attended by 121 delegates and observers from 14 countries. It was held at Honey Dew near Johannesburg from 25th to 29th October 1999, which was hoasted, by COSATU. For the first time the conference was held as SIGTUR.

Dr. Blade Nzimande, General Secretary, South African Communist Party inaugurated the Conference which was also addressed by Zwelinzima Vavi General Secretary COSATU. Both the speakers sharply criticized the policies of globalization and called for united struggles to defeat these policies.

The action plan envisaged the following main issues:

1. Unions to move from servicing to organizing model,
2 . Educate members on globalization and its impact,
3. Strengthening the capacity of union leadership to respond to threats from globalization,
4.To develop from union membership to union activism,
5.To organize casual/contract/unorganised workers in the unions,
6.Special attention on involvement and representation of working women and young workers within unions,
7. To take up issues of unemployed in the Charter of Demands of the unions.

The congress decided to observe the May Day 2000 on issues of Trade Union Rights and collective bargaining, no surrender to IMF and Word Bank, no encroachment by WTO, Right to work and no discrimination in Export Procession Zones. It gave a call to raise the voice of protest against arrests of trade unionists in many countries.

The congress highlighted the struggle against mining giant Rio Tinto and decided to strengthen the campaign against MNCs.

SIXTH CONGRESS : SEOUL 2001

The sixth congress of SIGTUR was held at Seoul in South Korea in 2001 which was attended by about 200 delegates from 16 countries. The main theme was stressed as "unity, capacity and power". It was held in an atmosphere of series of local struggles organized by Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) who hoasted the conference.

The congress gave special emphases on Action orientation in the struggle against globalisation. One day of the conference was devoted to the observation of International Day Against Globalization in which speakers from all countries pledging to strengthen the struggle against the attacks of the MNC's.

A demonstration of all delegates along with participants in South Korea protested again the U.S. army occupation in the country. Slogan demanding the withdrawal of the U.S. army was given during demonstration.

By a resolution the congress gave a call for campaign demanding release of jailed unionists Dan Byung-Ho from South Korea and Tian Chua from Malaysia. During the congress a solidarity action was also organized in support of striking FEDEX workers in South Korea.

The Plenary Session considered at length the impact of globalization policies on women and youth. The session highlighted the serious attacks faced by them and stressed the need for paying more attention by the trade unions on their problems.

Regarding the struggle against privatization and casualisation the congress noted that the struggles had been strengthened all over the world but need to be strengthened further to reverse the policies. International actions are more and more necessary to protect the valuable assets of public sector undertakings.

While the congress was in progress the news of U.S. and U.K. troops entering Afghanistan came. The imperialist attacks on Afghanistan was condemned by the congress and demanded withdrawal of foreign troops from the soil of Afghanistan. The speakers criticized the Taliban forces and called for a democratic Afghanistan free from the fundamentalist forces.

SEVENTH CONGRESS : BANGKOK 2005

The Seventh Congress of SIGTUR was held at Bangkok (Thailand) in 2005, which was participated by 120 delegates from 11 countries. For the first time the Congress was being held in a region where trade union movement is less developed. The Congress decided that SIGTUR should consider further extending its dialogue with the exiting international organizations since many of its members are also members of the ICFTU, WFTU and other organizations. It also agreed to strengthening existing progressive trade unions organizations and expand to include other organizations that share similar goals and objectives of SIGTUR.

The SIGTUR further agreed to establish a website to popularize the struggles conducted by the trade unions associated with the SIGTUR. The website would also give periodic information about various aspects of globalisation so that proper education of the working class is planned all over the world. This website can also counteract capitalist propaganda aimed at the policies of globalization and neo-liberalism.

SIGTUR Congress was scheduled to be held in 2003 at Sao Paolo, Brazil, to be hosted by CUT. However due to elections in Brazil where the re-election of Lula Government was extremely important it was not possible to hold the conferene as planned. Hence, there was a gap of 5 years in holding the SIGTUR Conference.

On this question SIGTUR observed, "Although SIGTUR had been participating in adhoc campaign, it was highly held within the participants, that our network had not been as active as focused as we would have wished."

The Regional Co-ordination Committee of SIGTUR held at Perth, Australia on 3-5 July 2005 decided to hold the Eighth Congress in India on 19th to 23rd April 2008 with a view to strengthen the ongoing struggles against globalsition and to revitalize SIGTUR organizationally. The meeting expressed solidarity with the working class of Philippines who have been fighting against brutal repression by the Government of Philippines. A delegation of SIGTUR expressed their protest to the Embassy of Philippines in Western Australia and demanded release of all arrested trade union activists and withdrawal of all penal actions against T.U. leaders for participating in normal TU activities.

FORWARD TO EIGHTH CONGRESS OF SIGTUR

The Eighth Congress of SIGTUR at Kochi will be a milestone in the history of SIGTUR since it will review the rich experience in 17 years of its activity and chalk out future course of action. SIGTUR has emerged as a unique forum where delegates from different countries dispassionately express their views and come to a common conclusion in the interest of the working class of the world. SIGTUR experience has succinctly shown that ideological differences should not come in the way of evolving common approach on issues facing the working class at the global level to-day.

The working class of India of all affiliation is welcoming the proposal to hold the Congress and are contributing their might to make the congress a grand success. They are working forward to a satisfactory outcome of the congress that will give a clarion call for the working class of the world that globalization can be defeated by the united might of the working class of the world. Already National Preparatory Committee has been formed by several organizations to make effective preparation for a successful conference. The Committee has finalized the blue print of the Congress in consultation with Regional Coordiantion Committee and its convenor Rob Lambert.

The Unions in Kerala have formed a Reception Committee on 28th February 2008 of 105 members with M.M. Lawrence as the Chairman and Chandran Pillai M.P. as Secretary. The Reception Committee has formed sub-committees to take care of all aspects of preparations of the congress. Foreign delegates will experience the rich traditional hospitality of Kerala. Despite difficulties the workers are contributing for adequate preparations of the congress.

Chief Minister of Kerala V.S. Achuthanandan will address the valedictory session of the Conference. Labour Minister of Govt. of Kerala P.K. Gurudasan and Industry Minister Kerala will also participate in the congress and express their support to the policies of SIGTUR. Trade unions of all affiliations in Kerala are expressing their support to the congress and will convey their greetings to the delegates attending the congress. The congress will culminate in a massive rally of workers while a cultural evening and official dinner will also be organized as a part of congress deliberations. A video presentation on history of SIGTUR will also be made during the Conference.

The congress will have in-depth discussion on contemporary issues before the international T.U. movement. The issues, which would be discussed in different commissions in the congress would include growth in power of MNCs in the era of Capitalist Globalisation including privatisation; Worldwide attack on social security and working and living conditions; Organizing Informal Sectors - casualised, contrctualised and outsourced workers; Working women under globalization; Problems of migrant workers and Tasks of the T.U. movement; Challenges of organizing strong T.U. movement; Strengthening the International Unity and Solidarity of Working Class and Defining the role of SIGTUR.

Background papers will be presented for a detailed discussion and consideration of rich international experience of conducting struggles on these issues. After finalization of papers they will be published as a policy document of the SIGTUR.

The participants in the congress will have an opportunity to listen experience of struggle of Australian workers against anti-working class labour laws, the heroic struggle conducted by South African workers against privatization and neo-liberalization, the militant struggles of the TUs in Philippines against dictatorial regime's policies to suppress the legitimate struggles of the workers, glorious and long drawn struggles of the workers of South Korea for TU Rights and against attacks on the living conditions of the working class, the struggles of the workers of Latin America including Brazil against the depredation of globalization. They will also hear the experience of the struggles of the workers in Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Some other countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America who will attend the congress will also explain the character of their struggles against the dictates of the World Bank and IMF.

The Eighth Conference of SIGTUR will be a historic occasion to pool the common experience of the trade union movement in different countries in the world against neo-liberalism and globalization. It will strengthen the international solidarity of the trade union movement in developing countries and open the path of dialogue between the trade union movement in North and South so that worldwide unity of the working class can be built.

Working class of the world, if united, has strength to defeat the policy of globalisation dictated by World Bank and the IMF.

Working class and the toiling masses can chalk out their own destiny, free from exploitation and threat of war!

Trade unions will not tolerate any attack on trade union and democratic rights of the workers.

Long live the international unity and solidarity of the working class in all the continents!

Long live SIGTUR!