"A victory for workers anywhere is a victory for the workers everywhere!"
The terrible onslaught on Kazakh oil workers has deeply upset Swedish miners. The regional union of IF Metall in Malmfälten (iron ore), which organises the miners branches in northern Sweden had already earlier contributed with a donation to the strikers and their families. Now the union committee of the biggest branch, the legendary Gruvtolvan, has also made a strong solidarity statement (read here below) and decided to send a contribution of 15000 SEK, ie around Euro 1670.
In their statement, Gruvtolvan ask the Swedish trade union movement to engage in active support for the Kazakh oil workers under the motto "A victory for workers anywhere is a victory for workers everywhere!". And they go on to say: "to organise a broad solidarity campaign with everything from financial support to invitations and collaboration with Kazakh workers leaders in exile – that is to make action of the trade union principles, a situation that demands more than just statements!"
We will translate the entire statement and wish all struggling Kazakh oil workers, activists and CWI comrades strength in these dire days. We will do what we can to bulid on this brrakthrough concerning Swedish union solidarity!
Statement from Gruvtolvan (trade union for the mining industry in Kiruna, Sweden) December 22, 2011
We condemn the massacre of workers in Kazakhstan!
The workers on the company Kazmunaigaz in Kazakhstan have, since May, fought a bitter strike for better wages and work conditions. Layoffs, frozen strike funds, worker leaders who have been threatened and murdered, demonstrations attacked – Kazmunaigaz and the Kazakh state have met the workers’ demands with increased oppression.
The violence against the workers reached new heights on 16 December when up to 70 people were shot dead and 500 wounded, when police and military attacked a demonstration in the city Zjanaozen.
The IF Metall branch in Malmfälten has previously sent support money to the strikers and their families, who live under difficult conditions and can’t even satisfy their daily needs. Now, Gruvtolvan [miners’ branch in Kiruna] does the same and contributes with 15,000 Swedish kronor.
At the same time, we call on the Swedish trade union movement to actively support the Kazakh oil workers under the motto "A victory for workers anywhere is a victory for the workers everywhere!"
To organize a broad support campaign with everything from economic support to reception and cooperation with Kazakh worker leaders in exile – that is to make action of the principles of the trade union movement, in a situation that demands more than just statements!
Gruvtolvan [miners’ branch in Kiruna], 22 December 2011
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