Open World Conference of Workers

In Defense of Trade Union Independence & Democratic Rights

India

The Implications of the Global War for the Subcontinent

Preparation for the Berlin Conference

Trade Union Solidarity Committee
6, Neelkanth Apartments, Gokuldas Pasta Road, Dadar (E), Mumbai - 400 014.
Tel.: 4102252 Tele-Fax 4150750 Email - aibef@yahoo.com

December 20, 2001

Friends,

Trade union Solidarity Committee in association with other unions organised meetings in Thane on December 5, 2001, Pune on December 6 and Mumbai on December 8, 2001, in support of the International Conference against Deregulation and for Democratic rights for All scheduled to be held in Berlin (Germany) during February 21-24, 2002. Earlier on December 1 Calcutta based All West Bengal Federation of Sales Representatives Union (an affiliate of National Federation of Sales Representatives Union) had organized a meeting for the same purpose which was attended by the undersigned. Besides members of the Federation, Calcutta meeting was attended by representatives of several other unions including central trade union oganisations.

Over 500 workers from different factories attended Thane meeting. In Pune 23 trade union leaders (including central trade unions like CITU & AITUC) and activists from independent unions enthusiastically participated in the meeting and in the discussion. On December 8, 2001, there was a seminar in Mumbai which gathered about 100 people from different unions. Workers came from far away Surat and Bharuch. They eagerly listened to the presentation about labour situation in developed countries by Com. Francois of Paris based international Liaison Committee for Labour (ILC) who represented the organizing committee of the Berlin Conference. At this seminar there were two representatives from the National Federation of Sales Representative Unions, Calcutta. Com. Sukumar Damle of AITUC and Com. A.D. Golandaz of the Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions were at the seminar.

Undoubtedly these meetings brought to fore the commonality of deregulation issues labour is facing in all countries of the world including India and the need and importance of working class solidarity to fight back imperialist onslaughts. Changes being sought by the Government of India and the State Governments came in for sharp attacks. Maharashtra Government's decision to go ahead with the changes has been reported in today's Times of India.

The objective of Com. François's visit was to enlist support of Indian trade unions for Berlin conference against Deregulation and ensure the possibility of getting an Indian delegation to explain at Berlin about the deregulation attempts being made in India. He made an appeal in this respect.

In response to this appeal a committee comprising Comrades Y.V. Chavan, N. Vasudevan, M.A. Patil, Uday Mahale was set up tentatively at Thane meeting with the objective of expanding it incorporating representatives from Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata etc.

TUSC would meet at Blue Star Union office on January 5, 2002, at 6.30 pm to explore the possibility of setting up a full-fledged preparatory committee which would mandate and sponsor an Indian delegation to attend the Conference in Berlin. As Com. Francois emphasized in every meeting Berlin Conference does not have any funds from outside agencies, institutions or donors; it is self-financed by workers in Europe and America chipping in money from their pockets. Fairness demands that workers who believe in emancipation must agree to pay for the expenses of their representative. Organisers of the Conference have no funds to sponsor delegates from other countries. The cost per Indian delegate for travel ($650), registration ($350), visa etc. would be around Rs.50,000 ($1,100). In this context TUSC would have to decide as to whether TUSC would give mandate atleast to one delegate to attend the Conference at the cost of solidarity unions. This has to be done urgently so that collection drive can be taken up in right earnest. In addition to this we would have to collect funds to defray the cost incurred in connection with the meetings in Calcutta, Pune and Mumbai. Total cost for travel, meeting, hall, food, STD/ISD, communication etc. came to Rs.27,700 ($597). Against my request ILC has contributed Rs.9200. Balance amount of Rs.18,300 has to be raised by TUSC unions. I have not included Thane meeting expenses in this as Com. M.A. Patil has made the arrangements there.

Since the Berlin Conference begins from February 21, 2002, time is short; hence it is essential we take appropriate decision at the earliest and communicate to the organisors in Paris/Berlin whether or not a TUSC sponsored delegate would be attending the conference. This would avoid last minute difficulty for them in making arrangements.

Please attend the meeting on January 5, 2002.

N. Vasudevan

Back to Berlin Conference Back to Home