An appeal from Kamal Abu Aita, president of the Independent Property Tax Collectors' Union of Egypt, RETAU: "We want trade union solidarity, not solidarity from international governments".
International workers' solidarity is an alternative to capitalist globalisation and militarisation.
The British and US governments make a lot of noise about 'democracy' and 'stopping the violence', but the bullets killing us are made in the US. This message must get out, the regime cut off our communications.
We founded a new independent union federation in Tahrir Square on 25 January-the Egyptian Federation of Independent Unions.
It includes four unions: RETAU, the Pensioners' Union, the independent teachers' union and the health workers' union, bringing the membership to around two million.
The independent unions have been here from the beginning. We formed committees to defend the revolution while the government-controlled Egyptian Trade Union Federation was organising committees to smash it.
We are organising civil disobedience and encouraging people to stay in the streets and not to go to work. The revolution has opened new horizons for workers' freedoms.
It is also characterised by unity between Muslims and Christians. Reactionary forces are trying to stir up sectarian hatreds because they are afraid of this unity. We reject any negotiations with the regime before Mubarak goes. You can help us. Your pressure on the government will help us."
No comments:
Post a Comment