NEHAWU Statement On The 77th Anniversary Of The World Federation Of Trade Unions
Monday October 03, 2022
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] conveys its militant salute to the World Federations of Trade Unions [WFTU] on the occasion of its 77th anniversary.
WFTU was established on the 3rd October 1945 in Paris, as a militant international class-oriented federation fighting against capitalism and imperialism for a society without exploitation of man by man.
This year’s international day of action marking the 77th anniversary of WFTU makes the clarion call for demands concerning health, collective bargaining, trade union freedoms and rights, protection of the environment, elimination of racism and xenophobia, solidarity of the workers under the slogan:
- We will not pay for the capitalist crisis and the imperialist wars
- Wage and pensions increase Now
- Struggle in solidarity – Internationalism
The 77th anniversary is taking place against the background of international geopolitical and economic developments which have created challenges for the working-class and principal among these is the complete failure of the barbaric global capitalist system.
The barbaric system of capitalism has caused unprecedented destruction of livelihoods of millions of the working class with extreme poverty, inequality, unemployment and misery for the working-class. The barbaric capitalist system has been unable to respond to the satisfaction of our needs as the working-class.
As NEHAWU, we congratulate WFTU for reaching this significant milestone rooted in revolutionary working-class internationalism, organising and uniting workers under the banner of a red militant class-oriented trade union movement.
Equally, this year’s anniversary takes place on the backdrop of a successful WFTU 18th World Congress held on 6-8 May 2022. The 18th congress emerged with resounding resolutions which seek to further propel the class oriented revolutionary struggles with a primary task of building WFTU and continuous strengthening of WFTU lines, which is fundamental so that the organisation continues playing its role as the most consistent and steadfast defender of workers' rights.
The congress emerged with imperative interventions which included amongst others; the fight to improve living standards of workers, defence of collective bargaining; social security, fighting unemployment, defending the rights of immigrants, health and safety at the workplace, and the end to imperialist wars.
Lastly, as NEHAWU we are fully committed and rally behind WFTU in implementing the outcomes of the 18th congress. We will work shoulder to shoulder with our international class-orientated federation [WFTU] to wage a relentless struggle in defence of workers and the working-class in general.
We congratulate our international class-oriented trade union federation for this historic milestone of 77 Years.
Long Live WFTU!
END
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat Office
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968;
December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969;
Lwazi Nkolonzi (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za
Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za