Two
hundred years after the abolition of slavery in Britain, more than 12 million
workers around the world are subjected to forced labour, and almost 2.5 million
of them are victims of human trafficking.
The 1st
of May is traditionally the day when we remember our sisters and brothers
around the world who are engaged in the vital struggle to defend the rights of
workers. Yet only
a week ago the BBC exposed
the exploitation of east European migrant workers in Hull receiving only £47 for 120 hours work.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber
said: 'The TUC is shocked by this exploitation of migrant workers which is
tantamount to modern slavery. ‘
It is disgraceful that some
employers are getting rich by exploiting migrant workers. The exposé by the BBC has echoes the
experience of the Latino day labourers in the USA:
http://mcworkers.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=1#
It is clear that the ‘Gang Masters
Act is not protecting the rights of our sisters and brothers who have come to
Britain to build a better life for themselves and their families and who in
turn are making a valuable contribution to the construction of a better
Britain.
This exploitation is taking place under a
Labour Government, which after 10 years in power has done nothing to repeal the
Anti Trades Union Laws brought in by a Conservative Government. Although some advancement have been made such
as the National Minimum wage, Tony Blair boasts that, even with such reforms
brought in by his government, Britain
still has the most restrictive anti-union laws in the industrialized world.
In a world dominated by the globalisation
of the economy there is an ever increasing need to call and train worker leaders
to ensure there is a ‘grass roots' or ‘bottom up' approach to creating solutions
to problems at work and to build a world based on justice. This is the raison d'être of the MCW
 Clayton from the USA sends his solidarity greetings
"At a time when
the globalisation of the economy is creating ever growing gaps between rich and
poor, and there is an increasing spread of violent conflicts, it is vital to
recall the gospel of Jesus which summons us to a universal solidarity and a
commitment to justice and peace to create an alternative form of globalisation
based on solidarity. This is crucial for
the survival of our planet.
The 1st May is a day
we wish to celebrate with all the workers of the world, of all faiths and none,
all races and colours. We have a common
struggle to build a new world based on solidarity and where all women and men
can make a positive contribution to a sustainable world, through decent and
dignified employment"
WMCW
May Day Message .>>>> Click here for full message
|