International Working Women’s Day 2023: Equity and Equality – Say no to wars

Statement of the Working Women Committee, adopted by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) 2023 Precedential Council Meeting:

International Working Women’s Day 2023

WFTU Women demand Equity and Equality – Say no to wars

Now is the time for the spark to ignite again. Just like in the 19th century, when women workers rose up against the exploitation of early industrial capitalism, now again the time has come to take up the cudgels against the most barbaric system that boils in the cauldrons of neoliberalism.  Imperialism sacrifices the lives of the workers of the world for the sake of profit. Women workers are enslaved and subjugated within the working class which is already marginalized to the point of deprivation.

Trade unionist leader Muhammad Shaban Azouz dies

Muhammad Shaban Azouz, prominent trade unionist leader from Syria and former President of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), died on Monday in Damascus, aged 70. 

Azouz, a native of Aleppo, was a long-time member of the central leadership of Al-Baath Arab Socialist Party.

In a statement, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) stresses out:

"With great sorrow, the WFTU informs about the passing away of comrade Mohammad Shaban Azouz who served as president of the WFTU.

November 29 – International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

The Section of International Relations of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November 2022, stressing the following:

“On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the KKE expresses its full support for the just struggle of the Palestinians, which is an inspiration for the just popular struggle of the workers all over the world. 

FIFA World Cup in Qatar is stained with working-class blood — Statement by the WFTU

In a statement about the FIFA World Cup 2022 that begins today, November 20, in Qatar, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) stresses out:

The designation of this Arab emirate to host the event was already tainted by corruption. Billions of resources belonging to the Qatari people -as it is theirs all wealth found in their subsoil- passed into the hands of the large capitalist corporations.  Since then, the sponsorship of these companies has been supported by speculation and business from which only the elites of the Arab country benefit.

PAME exposes the dirty role and lies of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)

PAME: The dirty role and lies of the ETUC-CES revealed again

On November 9 a General Strike took place in Greece. A strike that was decided, was prepared and succeeded thanks to the action of the militant trade unions of Greece. It was one of the most massive and successful strikes of recent years. In this strike the class unions of Greece had the massive support and solidarity of militant unions from all over the world and at the central Strike Rally of PAME in Athens attended the entire Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions-WFTU/FSM, expressing its solidarity in practice.

Nationwide strike in Greece on November 9: No one frozen! No one hungry! No one alone!

The preparations and the call for the National General Strike of November 9 continue and escalate. November 9 Strike rallies have been announced so far in 61 Cities all over Greece.

Send your messages, photos, videos of solidarity to PAME at Email: international@pamehellas.gr, Twitter @PAME_Greece, #GreeceGeneralStrike #GeneralStrikeNov9.

PAME Statement & Platform of Demands

WFTU-PAME: Solidarity with the big strike of the workers in the French Refineries #SoutienRaffineurs

The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing 105 million workers in 130 countries around the world, expresses its support for the strikers in the refineries of France and for the FNIC CGT, affiliated to the WFTU, which has been leading this heroic struggle for 3 weeks against the big monopolies Total and Exxon mobile.

Refinery workers in France are waging a powerful and exemplary struggle, at a time when these big oil monopolies are paying billions of Euros in dividends to their shareholders, while refusing to raise wages: refiners are showing that only the way of the strike and the struggle can force the employers to satisfy the demands of the workers.

Italy: Massive rally in Piacenza against the persecution of trade unionists

With a massive demonstration held in Piacenza, in Italy's northern region of Emilia Romagna, thousands of workers, men and women, people of every age, demanded the release of the eight trade unionists of Si Cobas and USB who remain under house arrest.

The trade unionists were placed under house arrest and searched on July 19th, based on a 350-page indictment of the Piacenza Public Prosecutor’s Office against USB and Si Cobas unions. 

Solidarity with Roofers Local 36 of Los Angeles, USA and Cliff Smith

In a statement, the All-Workers’ Militant Front (PAME) expresses the solidarity of the class unions of Greece with the Roofers Local 36 of Los Angeles, USA and the unionist Cliff Smith who are being threatened and blackmailed for leading the struggles and mobilizations for the rights of the working class in their region:

To Cliff Smith
Roofers Local 36 Business Manager
To Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers

Workers, Peace Activists, Students denounce the 2022 NATO Summit

Under the slogan "Yes to Peace-No to NATO! Disengage from NATO and dissolve it!", the World Peace Council (WPC) denounces the NATO Summit which takes place in Madrid on 29-30 June. It is noted that the WPC participated in the large anti-NATO rally held in Spanish capital on June 26th. 

More specifically, the WPC stresses out:

The biggest war machine in history, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is having its Summit on 29-30 June in Madrid, Spain. One more summit where the war hawks of 30 countries and their governments will ratify and develop their imperialist plans as a ’’world sheriff’’.

PAME: Strong, militant successful Congress with more than 2,000 delegates

On June 18-19, 2022, the heart of Greece's working class movement was beating in Piraeus, where the National Meeting of the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) took place, with the participation of more than 2,000 delegates from 506 trade unions of private and public sector from all over the country in addition to 60 Pensioners Unions. 

Under the major slogan “Our Power is in Organization, Hope lies in our Struggles, Our weapon is Solidarity”, trade unionists-workers discussed the current situation in the labour movement, as well as the next steps for the intensification of the class struggle. 

WFTU on International Day against Child Labour: "End child labour — Stop man by man exploitation"

In a statement about the International Day Against Child Labour (12 June 2022), the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) vows to fight and end all forms of exploitation of children. The full statement reads:

On this International day against child labour, World Federation of Trade Union, with all its affiliates across the globe, recommits itself to the firm resolve to fight against all forms of exploitation of children. WFTU in most vociferous terms says, “Stop child labour; Restore the right of children to a childhood!”

World Environment Day: No more exploitation of the environment and workers for the sake of profit

"No more exploitation of the environment and workers for the sake of profit" says the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) on the occasion of the World Environment Day. The full statement of the WFTU reads:

No more exploitation of the environment and workers for the sake of profit

Undoubtedly one of the issues that has been raised in the public debate in recent years is the environmental crisis and its various implications. Climate change, global warming, extreme weather events, sea level rise, environmental degradation, deforestation, pollution of air, water, soil, seas and forests, the degradation of biodiversity and the ecosystem, the uncontrolled and unregulated capitalist economic activity in mining, agriculture, stockraising, the production,  The creation of conditions for the outbreak of pandemics and diseases are issues for which scientists have been revealing data and sounding the alert for years.

18th World Trade Union Congress: Opening speech by the General Secretary of the WFTU George Mavrikos

This weekend, the heart of the international trade union movement beats in Rome, where the 18th World Trade Union Congress is taking place with 419 delegates from 95 countries. 

The Congress began on Friday 6 May and will conclude on Sunday 8th May. 

On the first day, the General Secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) George Mavrikos delivered an opening speech, analyzing the experience from the Union's activity during the previous period as well as the challenges and struggles that are coming for the class-based working class movement: 

The 18th World Trade Union Congress kicked off in Rome

Under the sounds of "Bella Ciao" and the hymn of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), the 18th World Trade Union Congress started its works today, 6th of May, in Rome. 

Greeting messages were delivered by the host USB trade union, as well as by the President of the WFTU.

The three-day Congress, which takes place under the slogan “United, we continue! For the satisfaction of our contemporary needs, against imperialist-capitalist barbarity!”, will be concluded on May 8th. 

May Day 2022: Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

On the occasion of the International Workers' Day 2022, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) points out:

"Long live the 18th World Trade Union Congress!

The World Trade Union Federation, on the occasion of May Day 2022, salutes workers on all continents – all those whose work continues to drive the gears of life even in difficult conditions and who continue to produce all essential goods.

India: Millions of working people participated in 48-hour general strike

Another massive general strike took place in India on 28-29th March 2022, with millions of working men and women responding to the call by the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions, Independent Sectoral Federations/ Associations.

"This historic strike call was given not merely on immediate demands of the workers but against the anti-national destructive policies of Central government", reads a statement by Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).

Women's Day 2022: Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions

In a statement about the Working Women's Day, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) stresses out:

8 March 1857 – 8 March 2022: 165 years later

165 years ago, when the women workers in the New York textile mills, on March 8, 1857, went on strike and demonstrated for “ten-hour work, bright and sanitary workrooms, wages equal to those of male textile workers and tailors”, they certainly did not imagine that in 2022 all these demands would still be demanded.

World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU): Statement on Ukraine war

In a statement about the developments in Ukraine, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) points out:

In 1999, at the heart of Europe, NATO, the USA, the EU, and their allies bombed Yugoslavia. Today, in 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine in an unfair and destructive war.  Nevertheless, where are hidden all those who in 1991 were trying to persuade all the peoples that the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the overthrows in the countries of Eastern Europe were taking place in favor of international security and global peace?

18th WFTU Congress to be held in Rome on 6-8 May 2022

In a statement, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) has announced that its 18th Congress will take place in Rome on 6-8 May 2022. More specifically, the statement points out:

The WFTU Presidential Council which met on 1&2 February 2022 announced the organization of the 18th World Trade Union Congress in Rome, Italy, on 6, 7 and 8 of May 2022, under the slogan: “United, we continue! For the satisfaction of our contemporary needs, against imperialist-capitalist barbarity!”