Belarus-Poland standoff: The lives of refugees are not a tool in imperialist antagonisms

In a statement about the tension in the Belarusian-Polish border the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) underlines that "the lives of refugees are not a tool in imperialist antagonisms" and calls for an end to the imperialist interventions which are the root of refugee-migrant crisis, The statement reads:

"The tension on the Belarusian border with Poland is intensifying every day at the expense of thousands of stranded migrants and refugees who are treated like a tennis-ball in the EU – USA – NATO geopolitical confrontation with Belarus and Russia.

Hands Off Cuba! Solidarity statements from WFTU and PAME

In a statement about the recent imperialist-backed provocation against Cuba, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) points out:

The World Federation of Trade Unions, which is the militant voice of 105 million workers in 133 countries on five continents, conveys its internationalist solidarity to the Cuban workers and People. We strongly condemn the recent provocations orchestrated by counterrevolutionary elements in Cuba, organised and financed from the United States for destabilising purposes.

The world class-oriented trade union movement supports the Cuban People in their struggle against these actions. We demand the lifting of the criminal blockade that for 60 years has been creating serious problems for the economy and the lives of the Cuban people.

May Day 2021 — Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

“Hope lies in our struggles”

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), representing 105 million workers in 133 countries of the planet, sends a warm militant and internationalist greeting to the workers of the world, on the occasion of May Day 2021, this important day for the world working class. Each reflection, action and plan of the WFTU – especially in this difficult period for the workers and peoples of the world – has as its sole guide the interests of the working class. This 2021 will be a year of preparation for the world’s largest trade union event – the 18^th World Trade Union Congress.

Palestinians Land Day: Statement by the WFTU

On the occasion of the 45th Palestinians Land Day, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) issued the following statement: 

 

"The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing 105 million workers in 132 countries around the globe, commemorates the Palestinians Land Day and the heroic resistance of the People of Palestine on March 30th 1976 against the Israeli expropriation of Palestinian land. 

 

International Women's Day 2021 — Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

On the occasion of the 2021 International Women's Day on March 8th, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) issued the following statement:

Women’s equal rights in health and safety at work and in society

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), the oldest trade union international representing 105 million workers in 133 countries on the five continents, offers a warm internationalist greeting to the working woman, the female trade unionist, the female militant of each country and continent on this International Working Women’s Day, March 8, 2021.

Myanmar coup: The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) condemns coup d'etat, calls workers and people to resist

In a statement about the recent military coup in Myanmar, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) points out the following:

The World Federation of Trade Union, on behalf of its 105 million workers who live, work and struggle in 130 countries of the 5 continents, strongly condemns the coup d’etat that is carried out in Myanmar by the armed forces of the country. Myanmar army declared a one-year state of emergency and detained several government leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi.

Happy and Militant 2021: Messages by the WFTU and PAME

In a video message, with the Athens' Acropolis in the background, the General Secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) George Mavrikos sends his best wishes for a Happy New Year "with faith and knowledge". 

 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions

Today, December 3, is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) issued the following statement:

On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, the World Federation of Trade Unions reiterates its support and solidarity with people with special needs and supports their demand for free, public and high quality healthcare which become even more urgent during the Pandemic of COVID-19.

Venezuela's Communist Party slams reformist "Plataforma de la Clase Obrera Antiimperialista (PCOA)"

The Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) has issued a statement concerning the initiative called "Platform of the Anti-imperialist Working Class" (PCOA). Read the statement in english and spanish below:

"Together with class conscious trade unionism, the PCV will participate in initiatives of unity of anti-imperialist action.

The Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV), as the party of the working class and the Venezuelan working people, clarifies its position regarding Venezuela's launch of a supposed Platform of the Anti-imperialist Working Class (PCOA), which lacks the presence of class conscious trade union organizations from our country or representatives of national historical labor currents.

Solidarity with the workers and staff in U.S. airlines — No to layoffs, pay cuts and anti-labor measures!

Employment will drop by 90,000 full-time employees by December, according to Airlines for America trade group, which represents major U.S. airlines.

The 90,000 job losses will bring U.S. airlines employment to its lowest level since the mid-1980s by year's end as a result of more than 30,000 furloughs at airlines such as United and American and thousands of other workers from Southwest, Delta Airlines and other carriers accepting buyouts, CNBC reported.

Bureau of Transportation Statistics data that the trade group compiled show the drop from pre-COVID peak in March of 460,000 full-time jobs to 370,000 full-time jobs by year's end.

WFTU 75th anniversary was honored in Athens

With a meeting of trade unionists and workers of the industry unions of Athens on October 2nd, the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) honored the 75th founding anniversary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). 

The meeting was attended by George Mavrikos, General Secretary of the WFTU, who delivered a speech. 

Giota Tavoulari, President of the National Federation of Workers in Pharmaceutical Industries and Babis Vortelinos, TUI Public Services Vice President, delivered speeches on behalf of Greek Trade Unions.

World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU): 75 years of action, with honor and dignity

On October 3rd, the World Federation of Trade Unions celebrates 75 years since its foundation. The largest international workers’ assembly until then took the decision that was indelibly engraved in the memory of the world labor movement, October 3rd, 1945: THE WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS IS FOUNDED at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris.

75 years later, the WFTU continues on the same uncompromising path, with unity, class-oriented, with internationalism. 75 years with honor and dignity!

WFTU endorses the campaign for the Nobel Peace Prize 2021 to Cuban Medical Brigades

In an open letter addressed to its affiliated organizations, friends and workers in all over the globe, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) expresses its endorsement for the campaign to nominate the Cuban "Henry Reeve" International Health Contingent for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. 

The statement reads:

“Our country does not drop bombs on other peoples, nor does it send thousands of planes to bomb cities. Our country does not possess nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, or biological weapons. Our country’s tens of thousands of scientists and doctors have been educated in the idea of saving lives” - Fidel Castro.

Nelson Mandela — The international working class movement honors his legacy

Today, July 18, 2020 marks the 102nd anniversary since the birth of Nelson Mandela, the iconic South African leader and anti-apartheid revolutionary. Honoring his legacy, the World Federation of Trade Unions and the Trade Union International-Public Service & Allied (TUI-PS&A) issued the following statement:

Today, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)-Trade Union International-Public Service & Allied (TUI-PS&A) joins humanity in remembering the contributions and sacrifices of a man who dedicated his whole life to the course of building a more humane world, Comrade Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Nelson Mandela embodied more than just the spirit of narrow volunteerism and philanthropy: he was a revolutionary. 

Solidarity with the struggle of the workers and people in the USA - Statements by WFTU, PAME

Responding to the news of the racist murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) issued the following statement on May 30th:

The World Federation of Trade Unions expresses its solidarity and internationalism to the workers and unemployed of the USA.

We demand the immediate end of racist violence and state authoritarianism of the US government, which kills innocent citizens and protesters.

May Day 2020 amidst Coronavirus pandemic — Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), on the occasion of May Day 2020, salutes the workers in all continents; all those whose work continues to move the gears of life even in difficult conditions such as the Coronavirus Pandemic and keeps producing all the necessary goods so that life may continue and the needs of workers and popular strata can be met.

We honor the millions of employees in public healthcare systems around the world: doctors, nurses, all healthcare workers, who amidst the Coronavirus pandemic struggle every day to save the patients from the pandemic without even having the necessary protective and medical equipment, risking their own health and lives. 

George Mavrikos (WFTU): "There is no vaccine, nor will it be found, to humanize capitalism"

The following article was written by George Mavrikos, General Secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) which represents more than 100 million workers in 132 countries, on the occasion of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

The King is naked

By George Mavrikos.

The entire planet is deeply immersed in the coronavirus pandemic. To this day, there are 921,002 infected and 46,153 dead, according to official data. The situation is tragic on all continents. Thousands of families mourn their dead, hundreds of thousands suffer from the disease and millions of people live with anxiety and fear. We express to all of them our solidarity.

#ScioperaPerMe: Workers in Italy go on strike demanding more protection measures due to Covid-19 pandemic

Thousands of workers participated in the General Strike initiated by the Italian trade Union USB (Unione Sindacale di Base) on Wednesday 25 March. Throughout Italy, from Trieste to Taranto, all non-essential production stopped, sending a symbolic but militant message to the government about the workers’ rights and demands. 

The strike comes as a response to the criminal policy of the government and big employers that denied the suspension of unecessary activity in industries and businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak, thus endangering millions of lives, including those of the workers. 

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.

International Women Day, a symbol of struggle — WFTU Declaration

On the occasion of this year’s March 8th anniversary, the World Federation of Trade Union (WFTU) addresses a warm militant greeting to every woman all over the globe, working or unemployed, self-employed, in the city or in the countryside, young mother, student, retiree, refugee or immigrant, life fighters of the everyday.

We all, stand on the side of the women who struggle with the WFTU and the international class-oriented movement, and strongly believe in the necessity of the organization of the women’s fight for real equality and do not limit our militancy and struggles just in one day a year.