WFTU TRADE UNION INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE &
ALLIED SOLIDARITY STATEMENT ON IN SUPPORT OF INDIAN FARMERS STRIKE.
“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 our solidarity
with workers and farmers in India during their extraordinary protest and strike
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 would
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 particular difficulties in accessing wholesale markets,
securing credit aimed at agriculture and gaining inclusion in government subsidy
and aid programs.
WFTU-TUI-PS&A therefore
demand that the government of India listen to the demands of farmers and repeal
or reverse the neoliberal Acts that have the objectives 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
For
media enquiries: Clever Banganayi (Information & Publicity officer +27663050598),
clever@nehawu.org.za
Friday 19, 2021
