ASIA PACIFIC Regional (APR) meeting of the World Federation of Trade Union (WFTU) was held on 25-26 October in Port Dickson, Malaysia; attended by 140 delegates from 15 countries of the region including India and its neighbours, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka; with China, Sudan and Argentina attending as observers; and joined by several trade union internationals (TUIs) of WFTU. The Indian delegation consisted of representatives of CITU, AITUC, AICCTU and TUCC. CITU and its associated organisations were represented by Swadesh Dev Roye, Prasanta Nandi Choudhury, Debanjan Chakraborti, Pradip Biswas, Muthusundaram and Mahadevayya. The main theme of the meeting was Right to Livelihood.

WFTU general secretary George Mavrikos inaugurated the meeting. It was also addressed by WFTU deputy general secretary Swadesh Dev Roye, the general secretary J. Solomon of the powerful and militant national TU centre of Malaysia NUBE, the host trade union; by Yao Li from ACFTU of China and TUI (Construction) general secretary Debanjan Chakraborti.

WFTU’s Asia Pacific Region secretary Mahadevan presented report. 50 delegates participated in the discussion on the report. Delegates spoke on the experience and struggles in their countries. Many participants presented videos of workers’ struggles on streets and murderous attack of the administration. From the deliberation, the fact emerged out that the working class in the capitalist countries is facing almost similar onslaught in the current phase of capitalist crisis. Many speakers emphasized on the need for strengthening the united struggle for people oriented and working class led alternative policies.

THE meeting unanimously adopted Malaysia Declaration. The declaration noted on the present situation that the capitalist economic system failed and is unable to meet the basic needs and aspirations of the people particularly of the toiling masses. It is increasing youth unemployment; steeply raising number of casual and contract workers and drastically reducing permanent employment. The real wages is dropping substantially; exploitation of women and children is increasing; creating serious problems of migrant workers; increasing off-loading, outsourcing, sub-contracting work; causing miserable living conditions of and suicide by agricultural labour and small peasants. There are increasing attacks on the working class and its leaders by way of dismissals, retrenchment, layoff and other forms of victimization against legitimate trade union activities etc.

The governments and employers are flagrantly violating labour laws combined with judicial verdicts against the working class; are not ratifying ILO Core Conventions; are restricting formation of trade unions and resorting to infringement on the Right to Association and Right to Collective Bargaining of the workers.

The declaration also noted that the working class are resisting and are retaliating these offensives by organizing independent and joint struggles. The declaration resolved to seriously pursue demands for universal access to all essential needs namely “food, water, housing, education and health” and pursue alternative mode, the agenda of social change and end of exploitative system.

THE Declaration adopted 15 point common charter of demands and action programmes – 8h March as International Women’s Day; 1 May as International Workers Day; 12 June as Child Labour Eradication Day; 3 October as International Action Day of WFTU; and 18 December as International Day to protect Rights of the Migrant Workers; and on solidarity action with NUBE. (Courtesy: Working Class)