The 80th anniversary of the founding of the World Federation of Trade Unions is a milestone in the history of the global labor movement.
The founding of WFTU was the response of the forces of labor, the forces that fought against fascism, to the demand for world peace, justice, and human dignity. Under the leadership of WFTU, the workers threw themselves into the great battle of rebuilding their countries from the ruins of World War II and of reclaiming workers’ social and democratic rights. WFTU has left its mark on all the modern conquests of the working class.
PEO had the distinct honor of participating in both the London meeting and the historic founding conference in Paris. Since then, we have consistently participated in all the activities of the World Federation of Trade Unions. In the critical moments of upheaval in the 1990s, the choice was clear for us. PEO joined ranks with other class forces and supported the effort to reconstruct the WFTU and maintain its role as the class-oriented beacon that would support the global working class.
On the occasion of today’s event, allow me to express our gratitude to the World Federation of Trade Unions for its unwavering solidarity with the Cypriot workers. With consistency and timeless support, it has stood by our side in our labor and social struggles, in our fight against imperialist interventions and occupation, and in our struggle for the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of our homeland and its people.
Dear comrades,
The reasons that united us 80 years ago still exist today.
Fascism is on the rise again, threatening democratic, social, and labor rights and freedoms.
The intensification of geopolitical antagonisms, imperialist interventions, and increasing militarization, pose a great threat for humanity and endanger peace.
Peoples are paying the heavy price of wars with thousands of victims and refugees. Military spending is increasing dramatically at the expense of social needs.
The war in Ukraine has been going on for over three years with huge losses for both peoples. A harsh humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza; indeed, a genocide is taking place against the Palestinian people, with innocent civilians and children dying from Israel’s barbaric attacks.
The crisis of the capitalist system is deepening. Poverty, social inequality, and overexploitation of the natural environment are increasing dramatically. Attacks against the rights of workers are intensifying. Trade union action is restricted, collective agreements are undermined and basic social goods such as health and education are commodified.
Therefore, there is a dire need for the class-oriented forces of the labor movement to strengthen their voice and intensify their interventions at all levels.
They need to do so by putting forward demands that respond to the contemporary needs of workers. Defending with determination against the attacks that trade union freedoms and trade union rights are subjected to. Strengthening the anti-war, anti-fascist front and the struggles against imperialism. Expressing solidarity with the struggling peoples in a practical way. Fighting consistently for a world free from exploitation.
WFTU has a glorious past, promising prospects, and a great future.
PEO will continue to consistently support WFTU, to participate creatively in its actions and initiatives, always guided by our common vision, for a world where peoples live with dignity, freedom and justice – without exploitation, without wars and bloodshed.
