Out with Macron, his pension reform and his war economy”! On 14 April, the “Constitutional Council”1 approved Macron’s counterreform of retirement pensions. In the wake of this approval, Macron hastened its enactment, despite the vast majority of the country’s rejection of this counter-reform. This is how « democracy » works under the Fifth Republic, a monarchy without a crown, where all powers are concentrated in the hands of the president. This Fifth Republic, under Macron, [...]

The congress of the leading Italian trade union confederation was held from 15 to 18 March. Monica Grilli, a CGIL activist, spoke to us. In his introductory report, Secretary General Landini – reelected at the end of the congress – made some obviously justified criticisms of the policies of Meloni’s extreme right-wing government, its refusal to finance schools and hospitals, to raise wages and pensions, its worsening of the Fornero law (which « softens » the terms of dismissal [...]

On 9, 10 and 11 December, in more than twenty countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, rallies, demonstrations, information pickets, public meetings and press conferences took place in response to the call by the World Conference Against War and Exploitation, for a Workers' International, held in the Paris region on 29 and 30 October.  At this conference, delegates from thirty-two countries had called for these dates to be international days of mobilisation against war and exploitation, under the slogans: "Immediate and unconditional ceasefire! Withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, withdrawal of NATO troops from Europe! Foreign troops out of the countries they occupy! Not one penny, not one weapon for this unjust war! Billions for wages, schools, hospitals, not for war! No support for war warmongering governments!”  These are the slogans, translated into all languages, that resounded throughout the world, including in countries where activists, braving war and repression, were determined to take part in these rallies. [...]

The labour activists from 32 countries, who met on 29 and 30 October at the World Conference against War and Exploitation, for a Workers’ International, unanimously decided to propose that all kinds of initiatives against the war in all its forms be taken in as many cities of the world as possible on 9, 10 and 11 December, so that « the forces of the labour movement opposed to war can make their voices heard« .  The resolution of the open world conference, translated into many [...]

On May Day 2022, workers and their organisations gathered in many countries around the world – with many exceptions this year: in many countries, war, repression, and restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic – prevented workers from gathering. Conversely, in some countries where workers are on the offensive, such as Sri Lanka (photo), some of the May Day rallies called by labour organisations were extremely massive. 

Where trade union and political initiatives did take place, the rejection of war was sometimes expressed among the demands. Present in these demonstrations and marches were the activists who took part in the International Emergency Meeting against War on 3 April. They circulated the meeting’s appeal, which had originally been signed by labour activists from 50 countries, and translated into some twenty languages, to make it known and to get it signed. 

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In November 2016, delegates who had gathered in Mumbai at an Open World Conference formed the "International Workers' Committee Against War, Exploitation and Precarious Labour, For a Workers' International." Over the past five years, unprecedented developments have shaken the world. 

For us, this confirms that a Workers' International is more than ever a necessity. We, 601 militant activists from 57 countries, call for the preparation in all countries of the Open World Conference (Paris, October 2022). 

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Rarely has such mobilisation in solidarity with the Palestinian people been seen. We are publishing a brief report. We invite all our correspondents to send us reports, accounts and photos on the demonstrations in their countries. First informations from Pakistan, Canada, United States, Australia, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Germany, France, Great-Britain... [...]

Open letter to Boris Johnson  Dear Prime Minister,  The news received from Indian trade unionists is absolutely appalling. The whole world is witnessing a real tragedy [...]

Daniel Gluckstein and Nambiath Vasudevan, IWC co-coordinators, call for solidarity with the Indian workers, peasants and youth, and for the demand to lift the ban on putting patents for the production of vaccines in the public domain.

Presently India is facing a second wave of Covid-19. Pictures coming out from India are scary. 

IWC correspondents in India informed us: “The number of people infected with Covid-19 is rising every day. Those who can get a hospital bed are considered lucky. Deaths are mounting owing to lack of hospital beds, medicines, oxygen – the health care system has collapsed, there are no doctors and para medical staff to cope up with the mounting cases."

Read and endorse this declaration by clicking here. [...]