CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC REVEALS THE REAL FACE OF CAPITALISM

By Nikos Mottas.

As of this writing, there are 140,214 Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases worldwide while the number of deaths mount to 5,123. China remains at the top of the countries with the most confirmed cases and casualties, while the epidemic situation seems to be particularly intense in Italy, Iran, South Korea and Spain. 

The outbreak of Coronavirus has sparked huge uncertainty in global markets, while financial analysts are already predicting a new international economic recession. Last week, the OECD lowered its forecast for 2020 GDP growth from 2,9% to 2,4%, while the IMF warned that the disease’s spread has already pushed global growth in 2020 to below last year’s levels. The rapid outbreak of Coronavirus in Europe has pushed the eurozone’s wobbly economy toward recession, boosting fears about a severe slowdown in EU’s economic growth. 

Coronavirus Pandemic: NATO's military exercise "Defender 2020" puts Europe at high risk

Despite the fact that the World Health Organization have declared the Coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, NATO seems determined to proceed with its “Defender 2020” military exercise in Europe. 

According to recent reports, the United States military is planning to reduce the number of U.S. participants and adjust its imperialist showcase exercise over Coronavirus concerns. 

Coronavirus Pandemic — No worker must lose his job — Statement by the WFTU

The World Federation of Trade Unions, on behalf of its 100 million members all over the world, expresses its support to the workers around the globe, who are facing consequences on their health and risk on their working rights, because of the Coronavirus outbreak which now records a large number of cases and deaths.

We urge the governments to immediately  take all necessary measures to ensure life and health of workers, as well as the protection of their labor rights.