MAY DAY APPEAL BY THE GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Every year, the world trade union movement marks the First of May as the Day of International Workers' Solidarity.
On this day, we pay tribute to the achievements won by generations of trade unionists, men and women alike, in the fight for peace, democracy, human rights and decent work for millions of people. But even at the moment of celebrating the great tradition of trade union solidarity, we remember that the challenges facing workers around the world call for collective efforts to gain success in the struggle for democratic rights and freedoms, equality and social justice.
This year’s May Day will be observed amidst political turbulence, which presents a serious challenge to global security, international law, and the stability of national political systems. World hysteria is being build up around Russia's recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and the Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR). The internal crisis of power has also hit the world’s leading economy, the United States, where the social contract between the government and society has practically stopped delivering, with ethnic differences flaring up. The energy crisis is shaking Europe. Atop of that, there were a lot of local crises and conflicts, such as the rise to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Karabakh war, the mass ubrest in Kazakhstan provoked from outside.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the national economies and finances throughout the world. Analysts compare the current coronavirus crisis with the Great Depression of the 1930s, although it is already clear that its effects may be far more serious and will linger for several years. Because of the global nature of today’s economy, all industries and countries, including those in our region, have been affected in one way or another. The pandemic has mercilessly exposed the weaknesses of globalisation. The production facility closures and the self-isolation regimes have hit the most part of the world's population, with the brunt of the economic difficulties falling on the shoulders of workers.
No government is able to cope on their own with the aftereffects of the crisis caused by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Solving the emerging problems will require both a responsible approach and thoroughly coordinated actions. Positive results can be produced only if governments and employers cooperation cooperate with trade unions, and top priority is accorded to workers’ interests. No difficulties or problems related to the removal of pandemic consequences can excuse the infringing on workers’ rights or the neglecting of decent work principles.
In the run-up to May 1, we call on our affiliates and on all trade unions in the world to pool their efforts to fight back with a united front against the forces that are trying to drag the world into the abyss of confrontation, ethnic hostility and clashes, and revive the spirit of the Cold War and militarism in international relations.
We appeal to all the GCTU-affiliated national trade union centres and sectoral Trade Union Internationals, all other trade union organisations and all working people in our region to celebrate 1 May 2022 as the day of world solidarity of workers, paying primary attention to problems and requirements most relevant to their countries or industries.
Let us say together:
- United, we shall safeguard peace and security on the Earth!
- Decent wages and work conditions to working people!
- Fighting the coronavirus does not cancel the guarantees of labour and social rights!
- Long live friendship and cooperation between peoples!
- Long live the First of May!
- Long live the international workers’ solidarity!