Meeting of the workers’ international against the far right

“A democratic counter-power”, in particular against the rise of the extreme right almost everywhere in the world.

This is how Luc Triangle, general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), defines the role of unions.  The far right votes against union rights and against workers’ rights, while claiming to speak in the name of the people ,” he insists, pointing to the path to follow: “ In the face of hatred, we will always choose international solidarity. »Â

Certainly, the far right can take on seemingly different faces and put forward themes which may vary. The face, for example, of the Vox party in Spain, “ nostalgic for the past, these fifty years of dictatorship of Franco, racist, xenophobic, who wanted to create a pseudo-union » and meets the “ success with the heirs of Francoism, but also in the middle classes », resume Christina Fabiacen (CCOO).Â

The face of a “ Hindu nationalist party which has governed for twelve years…» in India and who wields Islamophobia, describes Gautam Mody (NTUI). The face of a political extreme right which, in Ukraine, does not represent “ only 2 % of the votes ”, preventing his entry into Parliament, which contradicts Russian propaganda on  so-called Ukrainian Nazi regime,” notes Yuri Samoïlov (KVPU), but an extreme right which “ has its own particularity, militarization…», à l’image du régiment Azov. 

The face of a movement which, in Poland, highlights the model of “ traditional family ” as a political base, which has reduced the right to abortion to almost nothing and which opposes the “ patriots to others », written by Magadalena Chojnowska (OPZZ).Â

The face of Trumpist power in the United States, where “ seventeen months of daily shock cause the dikes to burst every day ” and where “ the rule of law barely survives » said qui donne to Nick Allen (SEIU) « a great feeling of responsibility in the face of all the evil that my government does in the world ». Or the face of Javier Milei in Argentina, which is “ enemies everywhere…: indigenous peoples, workers, feminism, universities and public schools… » list Roberto Bardel (CTA-A).

« Protéger les puissants »

But the main springs remain the same: “…The far right’s strategy is to protect the powerful…“, explains Esther Lynch, general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (CES). In the European Parliament, she thus observes a bloc which “ opposes gender equality, health and safety at work and the duty of vigilance of companies…»

She is also worried to see that this political force is taking others onto its territory…: “…The center right is allying itself with the far right, it’s a shame…“And she already fears the possible establishment, with the help of this coalition, of a “…28e regime » (which would be added to the schemes of the 27 member states) wanted by the European Commission, which  will allow employers to set up a business in forty-eight hours, bypassing all national labor laws and implementing stock-based compensation »

In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engages in “ attacks against the minimum wage, social protection, working time ,” confides Gautam Mody, and represses, to the point of imprisoning, workers who fight for better wages.

The meeting on “The Workers’ International against the far right” looked at the reasons for this rise in power.

« The 2008 crisis strongly contributed to the resurgence of the far right, with thousands of young people on the streets, the explosion of unemployment… » says Antonio Lisboa, of the Brazilian union CUT. In Cameroon, « the minimum wage is less than 100 euros », rapporte Céline Amana (CSP). 

En Italy, « the Prime Minister [Giorgia Meloni, NDLR] comes from a fascist group that the people chose » in the ballot boxes, recalls Maurizio Landini (CGIL). He sees it in particular as the result of a “ separation and a divide between the political world and that of work…“, which fuels both the far-right vote and abstention.  The rise of the far right and the right in general is also the result of the errors of the left…“, he emphasizes.

Similar observation from Magdalena Chojnowska: “…Polish society is fragmented and divided. » « Democracy is vulnerable when power stops listening to citizens », calm down Yuri Samoïlov. « Growing precariousness and a perception of insecurity make immigration a scapegoat », see Christina Fabiacen.

« S’attaquer à la financiarisation »

Beyond the dangers, the meeting obviously aimed to outline perspectives. HAS” There can be no equality at work without equality in society“Magdalena Chojnowska insists.”

« The far right is the worst enemy of the working classes. We must attack the evils of capitalism, in particular financialization », continues Antonio Lisboa, of the Brazilian union CUT. « The strike is our main tool…“, recalls Christina Fabiacen, for whom the contradiction to the extreme right must be brought to light.” in the workplace ”, the company being “ the ideal space to convey ideas »

It is also appropriate, for her, to “denounce all comments” relating to far-right ideas, including those made under the cover of “jokes”. HAS” We need clear proposals, which widely mobilize young people, women… » note Antonio Lisboa. « Last week, the Chamber of Deputies voted for a law by President Lula, which increases the working week from 44 to 42 hours and which establishes two days of rest Â,” confides the Brazilian trade unionist.
To achieve this result, the union world had a “ strategy claire ,” he congratulates himself, based in particular on “ alliances with academics ».Â

« We must fully participate in political life…» confirms the Spaniard Pepe Alvarez (UGT). “ We must treat migrants with dignity,” he continues, welcoming the “ 500 000 à 800 000 regularizations of sans-papiers ”, decided by the Spanish government.Â

Nick Allen returns to the uprising in Minneapolis, this city of 700,000 inhabitants where “ three thousand masked agents [de la milice anti-immigration ICE] carried out raids all over the city, schools, hospitals… » and who killed two people.
En réponse, « a coalition was, initially, formed by a few unions, including mine, says the American trade unionist. This led to a real popular revolt, with anti-ICE patrols. » Jusqu’à la grève générale, « the first in our country since 1946, which brought the city to a standstill…”, to the point that “ Trump and ICE had to back down ».Â

This is “the path of resistance,” concludes Nick Allen, to loud applause, who calls for a social justice program.which must be international…»

The daily people special congress – Ludovic Finez