WFTU Trade Union International Public Service And Allied Solidarity Statement In Support Of Indian Farmers Strike
Friday February 19, 2021
“Workers of the world unite you have nothing to lose but your chains”
The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) Trade Union International Public Services and Allied (TUI PS & A) representing more than 30 million members in the public service, joins millions of workers around the world in pledging its solidarity with workers and farmers in India during their extraordinary protest and strike action against neoliberal reform laws introduced by the government of India since September 2020.
Farmers are protesting against the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
These new laws will pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the “MANDIS”, leaving farmers and workers at the mercy of big corporates.
The strike has also exposed the long suffering and neglect of women farmers who have long complained about their difficulties especially in accessing wholesale markets, securing credit aimed at agriculture and gaining inclusion in government subsidy and aid programs.
The WFTU-TUI-PS&A therefore demands that the government of India listen to the demands of farmers and repeal or reverse the neoliberal Acts that have the objective of pleasing big business and leaving farmers and workers without protection and open to exploitation
We call upon all our members around the world to support the WFTU call to pledge solidarity with all Indian farmers and workers during this strike.
Issued by Zola Saphetha General Secretary TUI-PS&A
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968;
For media enquiries: Clever Banganayi (Information & Publicity officer +27663050598)
clever@nehawu.org.za