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Conference > Presidential Address
Taking the entire Euro area the average growth rate is estimated to be only 1.9%. Despite revolutionary changes that have taken place in production technology the economic growth in the developed capitalist countries shows the inability of the system itself. Capitalism is unable to utilise the technology to advance the productive capacity of the society. Due to lower purchasing capacity of the people at large, the products do not find a market in their country. Hence, the thrust is given for exports to countries where purchasing power is available. Industrial production grew in China during 2006 by 14.1% till October, and the growth rate was sustained for more than 25 years because the purchasing power of the people also increased along with the rise in production. This fact itself underlines the superiority of the socialist system. GLOBAL RISE IN INEQUALITY According to a study recently conducted by World Institute for Development Economic Research of the United Nations, there has been a phenomenal growth in global inequality. The wealth distribution all over the world clearly indicates that the richest one per cent in the world owns 40 per cent of the planet’s wealth. The total wealth in the world is estimated to be $125 trillion. The report found that the richest 10% of adults accounted for 85% of the global assets. It further noted that half of the world’s adult population owned only 1 per cent of the global wealth. In the study, India comes near the bottom of the list with per capita wealth of only $1,100 (Rs 49,500). The report finds that those in the financial services and the internet sectors predominate among the super rich in the world. More than one third of them live in US. Japan accounts for 27% of the total while UK accounts for 6 per cent and France 5 per cent. As compared to per capita wealth in India, the leading capitalist countries have extremely higher wealth. In the year 2000 per capita wealth in UK stood at $1,27,000 while in Japan it was $1,81,000 and USA $1,44,000. Though pontiffs of globalisation are justifying this huge accumulation of assets as a requirement of accelerating economic growth, it is totally unjustified when even according to UN report more than 800 million people in the world are suffering from acute hunger. The talk of elimination of poverty through globalisation is thus a mirage and will never be achieved if these policies continue. Sixteen years of globalisation has inflicted severe miseries on the working class and the common people all over the world. Downsizing of manpower to cut down cost, on the plea of becoming competitive in the global market, has resulted in increasing workload on the working class. Increase in the hours of work and deterioration in working conditions have become the order of the day. Several lakhs of industrial units all over the world, which could not withstand the competitive environment, have been compelled to close down throwing large number of workers on the streets. While price rise of essential commodities has become a global phenomenon, wages could not keep pace with the rising prices resulting in deterioration in the standard of living of the working class. Social security benefits are under severe attack. Curtailment of pensionary benefits and welfare measures has become an essential part of what they call labour reform. In the name of labour market flexibility, right to hire and fire has been introduced in most of the countries in the world; women workers have become a special target of attack - they are the first to be terminated in the retrenchment drive. In Export Processing Zones and Special Economic Zones all over the world, labour laws generally remain non-implemented. Trade union rights of the working class, including the right to strike are systematically undermined which prevailed upon ILO to use the term “marginalisation” of the trade union movement. The call of the Director General of ILO for decent work remain unimplemented, which compelled him to use the term `deficit in decent work’! POLITICS BEHIND EXPANSION OF NATO Though the cold war is over US imperialists are indulging in the expansion of NATO to strengthen their domination all over the globe. After including East European countries in NATO, attempts are being made to include Ukraine and Georgia in its domain. Moreover, talks of including countries like South Korea, New Zealand, Australia and Israel are going on openly. Pakistan army personnel are going to be trained in NATO military training academies. Thus NATO is going beyond the area earmarked for it. It has already established its presence in Afghanistan and its troop strength has already reached 17000. Russian President Vladimir Putin had maintained good relations with US imperialists and his government allowed US to control some of the major public sector companies in Russia. Even US troops were stationed in some central Asian Republics. However, Putin is now worried at US attempt to encircle Russia through NATO network. This has generated conflict between Russia and US. Consequently US imperialists could not control the rich energy resources in CIS countries. US is today extremely worried because Russia has become a major supplier of oil and gas to European countries. This growing dependence on Russian oil supplies is worrying the US administration. It is also observed that of late Russian leadership has been making strenuous efforts to thwart the US efforts to increase its sphere of influence in the former Soviet Union republics. The steep rise in oil prices has enabled the Russian government to increase its influence in Eastern European countries. SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation formed in 2001 at the summit of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan was a significant event in which a strategic alliance was formed. Four Asian countries, namely, India, Pakistan, Iran and Mongolia had been invited as observers. This has given a big jolt to the very concept of expansion of NATO. The proposal from Iran and Pakistan to obtain full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has posed serious problem for India. In a recently held meeting on the occasion of fifth anniversary of the organisation of Shanghai Cooperation, Pakistan and Iran sent heads of the state but India sent only its pro-US oil minister. It is necessary that India should give more importance to this strategic alliance so that the US machinations in the Asian continent can be checked. India should not bow down to the pressure of US imperialists in the matter of deciding its approach towards this new strategic alliance. FIASCO OF US POLICIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST The US policies of controlling huge oil resources in the Middle East have completely failed during the last 3 years, though Middle East occupied the major thrust of Bush administration as a part of its desire to impose its hegemonic designs on the world. The US-led military intervention in Iraq, bypassing the United Nations, had misfired and it failed to subjugate the resistance of Iraqi people. In the case of Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Iran, the US policies have come home to roost making West Asia a hotbed of anti-US struggles. The US adventure in Iraq has misfired and President Bush’s plan to control oil of Iraq is not likely to be achieved. Despite spending about 300 billion dollars in the war in Iraq, US could not control the oil resources of Iraq. Over 3000 US soldiers lost their lives in this imperialist war of aggression. Despite destroying several historic sites in Iraq, the US army could not establish any puppet regime in the premier Middle Eastern state. Lakhs of innocent men, women, and children were killed by US and puppet troops but the resistance forces continue to grow with each passing day. Back home, the failure in Iraq war led to the defeat of Bush’s Republican Party losing control over the US Senate and Congress, where his opponents, the Democrats got majority in the recently held elections. The newly appointed Pentagon Chief, Robert Gates had to admit on December 5 that US was not winning the war in Iraq. The inhuman torture of prisoners in Iraq jails and sadistic depredations of US soldiers have shocked the world humanity. The rape of thousands of Iraqi women by US and other soldiers has been condemned all over the world. The allies of US imperialists had to withdraw their armed forces from Iraq and the mass of the people in USA itself have held huge demonstrations demanding withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Even the puppet regime had to come out against US occupation and imperialist machinations in that country. The Baker Commission, appointed by US Congress on war in Iraq, has admitted, “The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating”. It further noted that there is risk of a “slide towards chaos that could trigger the collapse of Iraq government and a humanitarian catastrophe.” It recommended moving US combat troops out of Iraq. The resistance forces in Palestine continue to fight for their homeland opposing Israeli atrocities backed by US imperialists. The Oslo accord failed to restore peace between Palestine and Israel due to refusal of Israel to vacate the land of Palestine forcibly occupied by them. Despite vacation of Gaza Strip, Israeli soldiers continue to attack Palestine territory and even the headquarters of the PLO Chief late Yasser Arafat was not spared by them. After the death of Arafat, Israel thought that the new leadership would be pliable to the imperialists manoeuvres. But the electoral victory of Hamas had angered Israeli Zionists who tried to throttle the economy of Palestine. However, the people of Palestine continue their resistance despite several military interventions by Israeli forces. The worldwide support to the genuine demand of the people of Palestine to have their homeland and making East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine continues. But the Israeli game of talks without any concrete step to vacate the occupied territory is resulting in no settlement of this long pending dispute in which US is fully backing Israel. The most cruel Israeli attack on Lebanon, on the plea of punishing Hizbollah forces for capturing two Israeli soldiers was condemned all over the world. The 34-day war against Lebanon led to colossal destruction and death of thousands of men, women and children in Lebanon. However, Hizbollah forces heroically resisted these attacks and did not surrender before the might of US backed Israeli forces. Continued bombing of residential areas in the name of destroying Hizbollah outfit was a matter of daily occurrence. Several Indian workers in Lebanon were also affected by these inhuman attacks. Ultimately, the UN had to intervene to cease the hostilities and peace was restored in Lebanon. The war only strengthened the hands of Hizbollah forces. The killing of some Lebanese political leaders in Lebanon resulted in creating anti-US feelings among a section of the people. Support given by the Syrian government to the people of Palestine and Hizbollah forces became a matter of concern to the Bush Administration which contemplated military action against Syria on the plea that it was harbouring terrorists. However, emerging anti-US and anti-imperialist waves in the region prevented US from indulging in such an adventure. Israel continues to occupy the Golan Heights since 1967 and refuses to vacate the illegal settlements there. The Syrian government is asserting its right to regain the lost territory but the US is fully backing Israel in its forcible occupation of the land, which legitimately belonged to Syria. The US policy towards Iran has also come up for a strong criticism all over the world. As a signatory of Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, Iran has a legitimate right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Iran’s programme of enrichment of uranium was opposed by Bush administration, which was even considering striking at all nuclear facilities of Iran. Despite US blackmail, Iran expressed her determination to go ahead with its nuclear programme. SITUATION IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES The comprehensive peace agreement signed on November 21, 2006 between the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to end violence and set out a roadmap for the future - after a bitter struggle against autocracy - is a welcome step. The protracted talks between the seven party alliance and the Maoists resulted in the settlement which provided for an interim Parliament in which Maoist will have 73 members while the seven parties will have 209 members of the dissolved Parliament. Including some members who did not join the anti-king agitation the total number will be 330. The Maoist army will be kept under UN supervision and confined to seven cantonments and 21 sub-cantonments. The agreement provides elections to the Constituent Assembly, which will be held in middle of June 2007 and monitored by the UN. The decision about whether or not to retain monarchy will be taken at the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly. If the agreement is fully implemented, it would ensure durable peace in Nepal which will be governed by a multi-party democracy. Though the emergence of Nepal as a secular state and not as a Hindu kingdom has annoyed BJP and other communal forces in India, the remarkable changes that are taking place in Nepal will have a long term impact on the development in South Asian region. The relations between India and Pakistan continue to show ups and downs but the people of India and Pakistan want friendly relations between them. Economic cooperation between the two countries will immensely benefit both the countries. The Kashmir issue however, is creating bottlenecks in further improvement of relations while terrorist attacks in India continue to strain the relations. Recently Pakistan President Musharaf has made a 4 -point proposal, which India has welcomed. The proposals are (1) Kashmir retains its current borders, but people move freely back and forth (2) Region to have self-governance or autonomy but not independence (3) Troops be withdrawn in a staggered manner (4) Joint supervision mechanism with India, Pakistan and Kashmir. The Prime Minister of India has already given a positive reaction to this proposal as a basis for further negotiations though adverse reactions have come from sections of public in India and Pakistan. The dialogue between the two great neighbours should continue so that a reasonable settlement acceptable to both the sides could be arrived at without third party intervention. There appears to be a clear shift from the stand taken by Pakistan for an independent Kashmir, which should be welcomed by the people of India. It is possible to find out a workable solution to the problem if both sides are sincere in their approach. BJP is characterising progress in talks as a policy of appeasement since it does not want any solution to the dispute. Under these circumstances a big campaign among the people of India should be launched so that the long pending dispute is settled to the advantage of both India and Pakistan. The situation in Sri Lanka continues to deteriorate resulting in loss of human life from the side of the government as well as LTTE forces. The peace accord signed with the Norwegian intervention has practically resulted in failure and fighting erupted in several areas. The LTTE is once again insisting for a Tamil statehood while the Sri Lankan government is resolutely opposing it. The hostilities have caused unbearable suffering for the common people with acute food shortage all over the country. The Sri Lankan problem cannot be solved through armed conflict. A political solution has to be found out to the problem. However, due to hard stands taken by both sides no solution to the problem is emerging and the situation is becoming more and more complex causing serious anxiety among Indian people. The situation in Bangladesh is becoming critical with the next elections for Jatiya Samsad approaching nearer. The reactionary ruling click in violation of the constitution appointed their yes-man as the head of the caretaker government, which sparked countrywide protests. The 14 party alliance led by Awami League organised 3 day strike during which several clashes took place killing 28 and injuring over 2000 persons. The US Ambassador in Dhaka openly intervened in its internal affairs to help the reactionary clique. Now, doubts are openly expressed whether the elections would be free and fair since electoral rolls are also manipulated. Meanwhile there is a split in the ruling combine making opposition forces stronger. Since Bangladesh is heading the SAARC, the developments in that country will affect the functioning of SAARC itself. RELATIONS WITH CHINA The visit of Chinese President to India in November last year was an important occasion to strengthen India-China cooperation. During his stay, eleven agreements were signed including increasing bilateral trade from the present level of $20 billion to $40 billion by 2010. The border trade would also be strengthened. Consensus could be achieved to settle the border dispute between the two countries at an early date. Two years ago Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited India and had a fruitful discussion with the Indian government for strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. The Chinese economy is advancing at the rate of 9-10 per cent during the last 25 years increasing the standard of living of the people radically. Today China produces more than 350 million tones of steel, which is more than 3 times the US steel production. It is also the largest coal producer in the world exceeding 1200 million tonnes. Today Chinese economy is fourth in the world next to USA, Japan and Germany. It will soon overtake Germany; US economists are worried that the higher rate of growth may result in China overtaking even USA. US imperialists are therefore trying to use India as a bulwark against China. India should not fall a victim to these US machinations. As a matter of fact, more cooperation between India and China will strengthen the struggle of the people in the developing countries against the dictates of the advanced capitalist countries. ANTI-US UPSURGE IN LATIN AMERICA In spite of decades of inhuman blockade by US imperialists, Cuba continues to march forward in socialist construction. International agencies have rated Cuba’s educational and health protection systems as among best in the world. Cuban doctors have done remarkably well in helping other Latin American countries. The GDP grew at the rate of 11.8 per cent during 2005, which showed the US blockade has been torn asunder by revolutionary Cuba. US imperialists however, are deluding themselves by harbouring fond hopes of Fidel Castro going out of the scene due to his intestinal operation but they would be only hunting for a mirage. On his 80th birthday celebrations the working class and the people of Cuba have firmly declared that they would carry forward the policy of building socialism. “Socialism or Death” was the slogan given by lakhs of people who assembled on the occasion. Let us hope for early recovery of Fidel Castro so that he can continue to guide the heroic people of Cuba in the struggle against imperialist globalisation and domination. The victory of the leftist economist Rafael Correa in the election to Ecuador presidency with 58 per cent majority support defeating banana magnate and yes-man of Bush administration, Alvaro Noboa, was a significant development in Latin America. Correa assured to remove US military base at Manta and not to join the so-called free trade agreement with US, which has generated a new wave of enthusiasm among the 13 million people of Ecuador. Let us congratulate the people of Ecuador for giving a fitting rebuff to Bush for treating Latin America as the backyard of US imperialism. The resounding victory of Hugo Chavez in the Venezuelan election on December 3 last year in which he got over 61 per cent of the votes, exhibited the support he is enjoying in that oil rich state. The revolutionary changes which Chavez brought in Venezuela led to the introduction of land reform, use of oil taxes to develop country’s roads, housing programme and subsidised ration to poor people, increase in literacy and health care for the people, etc. Chavez had taken steps to modernise the army with the help of modern defence equipments from Russia. He has become extremely popular in Latin America while his outspoken critique of Bush policies in Untied Nations calling him stupid, has endeared him all over the world. Venezuela has become a firm ally of Cuba in the struggle against US imperialism. The second time success of Lula da Silva, the candidate of the workers Party in Brazil with 61% votes also shows the growing resentment against the policies of globalisation. Brazil, the highest indebted country in the world amounting to over $250 billion, US products flooding the market and collapse of local economy, elected a left of the centre candidate to fight against the policies of globalisation. Lula assured that the rate of economic growth should be increased to make the country self-reliant from foreign domination. This success also amounts to a defeat of US policy in the Latin American continent. In Bolivia, the people disgusted with the policies of globalisation, threw out of power, US stooge government in a democratically held election and voted overwhelmingly for Evo Morales who belonged to ingenious majority population. With this historic election the centuries of subjugation of Bolivia’s indigenous population came to an end and their genuine representative came to power for the first time. As all of us know Che Guevara became martyr in Bolivia while leading an underground armed struggle to oust an autocratic government. Evo Morales, in order to pay tribute to the valiant memory of Che Guevara, announced in the place of his martyrdom that all oil and gas companies controlled by US multinationals would be nationalised. He also announced free distribution of 4 crores acres of land illegally occupied by landlords to several thousands of poor peasants. We salute the great victory achieved by the people of Bolivia. The Sandinista victory in Nicaragua brought Daniel Ortega to power in spite of open financial and political support given to the reactionary forces by Bush administration. Daniel Ortega was ousted from power in an earlier election due to open intervention by US imperialist in the domestic affairs of Nicaragua. However, the people of Nicaragua revolted against imperialist domination and rejected the policy of globalisation and US attempts to dominate the politics in Latin America. During the elections in Mexico in July 2006 the Leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador lost only by 0.5 per cent of votes that too due to large scale electoral fraud. The supreme federal electoral tribunal admitted extensive electoral fraud but declared right wing candidate as elected and did not allow recounting of votes. Massive demonstrations were held throughout the country against the fraud. US government openly supported the reactionary candidate and encouraged fraudulent practices. However, Mexican people’s opposition is growing. Since Mexico is just having a border with USA the leftward turn in this country has a great significance in the North American continent. The victory of the Left in Uruguay, the success of Michelle Bachelet, a moderate left in Chile, the victory of Rene Preval, a left candidate in Haiti, are worth noting successes in Latin America. In Peru the leftists were defeated by a narrow margin while Colombia is now the only major Latin American country, which is controlled by the hirelings of US imperialism. The dictatorial regime has murdered hundreds of trade unionists for their legitimate struggles for improving working and living conditions of the working class. INTERNATIONAL T.U MOVEMENT The international T.U. movement is today at crossroads. The trade union membership in major capitalist countries is declining. It is due to the drastic reduction in manpower in most of the advanced capitalist countries and the refusal of the trade union leadership in these countries to resolutely fight against the policies of globalisation. The U.S. Government and the CIA are openly using certain trade unions as conduits to pass on the funds to dissuade the leadership of trade unions from launching any struggle against capitalist exploitation. The IMF and World Bank do not object if the leadership of trade unions resort to rhetoric against capitalism, provided they adopt class collaborationist policies in practice. Attempts to de-ideologise the working class and blunt its class consciousness has been the chief weapon in the armoury of the capitalist class. It is but natural that at a global level the struggles of the working class are not assuming militant character to hit the crucial interests of the capitalist class. Today, world capitalism is keenly interested to develop labour aristocracy in trade union movement in advanced capitalist countries. It is due to this that the trade union movement in developing countries does not get adequate solidarity support from the trade union movement of advanced capitalist countries. Despite a long history of over two and half centuries, the working class of U.K. is not prepared to fight for socialist transformation. In Britain, Prime Minister, Tony Blair has become a symbol of a conservative sheep in socialist clothing. Though he was elected twice he did not find time to withdraw anti-working class legislation brought out by Margaret Thatcher. The situation is more or less the same in other major developed capitalist countries. Working class of the world today needs unity of the world trade union movement irrespective of ideological differences and it should be based on common issues facing the working class. Trade union as an organisation of the working class must strive to end all forms of exploitations. The international trade union movement should oppose all aggressions against any country, economic blockade, economic sanctions and foreign military bases. T.U. movement must oppose neo-colonialism and support all liberation struggles. World T.U. movement must oppose all forms of financial and imperialist globalisation while advocating social globalisation that would improve the conditions of the toiling masses. The united T.U. movement must fight for defending the T.U and democratic rights of the working class including the right to strike. It should advocate ban on nuclear weapons and total destruction of all nuclear stockpile. The ultimate objective of the T.U. movement must be the abolition of exploitation of man by man, which can be achieved only through determined class struggles. It is in this context that we should view the question of merger of ICFTU and WCL. These two organisations do not have any ideological differences and they together are in a position to control the ILO activities. They are also in a position to utilise the ILO resources to strengthen their T.Us. The CITU was invited by CGT (France) for an international meeting to discuss the problems of unity in the trade union movement. I had an occasion to attend the meeting in which I raised the above issues that are crucial for a real unity of the international T.U movement. The CITU did not agree to join the new world T.U centre but agreed to carry forward the dialogue for creating a basis for unification of the would T.U. movement. The CITU stressed upon the need for joint movements on common issues facing the working class irrespective of differences in ideology. The CITU also emphasised the need for involving WFTU and also the All China Federation of Trade unions, the largest T.U organisation in the world with 16 crore membership. The meeting held in Vienna, Austria, in the first week of November last year formed the new world federation, ITUC. But its polices remained the same as those of the ICFTU and WCL. The new organisation did not express determination to fight against imperialist designs to control the world. It did not support the revolutionary struggles of the working class in the developing countries. Instead of opposing firmly the role of MNCs, it sought to negotiate and reach agreements with them. The objective of the new organisation was only to participate in economic struggles, that too within the confine of bourgeois frame work. All these indicate that the new organisation negates the class struggle and political action by the working class. However, we must ponder why the fighting organisations like COSATU (South Africa), CUT (Brazil), GEFONT (Nepal), CGT (France), KCTU (South Korea) and some other left oriented trade unions are feeling the need to join the new organisation. Perhaps they might be thinking, though erroneously, of fighting for adoption of a militant policy from within the organisation. We have very close relations with them and that would be continued in future also, without compromising our stand on the issue. The CITU has fraternal ties of friendship with several affiliates of ITUC. We would continue to strengthen those relationships. We participate in meetings when ICFTU affiliates invite us. The dialogue on differences of opinion is necessary to arrive at a correct understanding. A section of the AFL-CIO (trade union centre of USA) has opposed the policy of the new organisation and they are maintaining fraternal ties with us. We fully co-operate with them and it is proving to be useful to us. Our relation, with Australian Council of Trade Unions in Southern Initiative on Globalisation and T.U Rights (SIGTUR) are going on well. And we continue to strive to strengthen it. After dismantling of socialism in the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries, the WFTU has been considerably weakened. It had earlier a staff of 650, but later WFTU gave up the polices of class struggle and social transformation. WFTU had several financial difficulties to run the centre itself. The general secretary of TUI Transport misappropriated the entire assets of the organisation. However, at the initiative of Cuban trade unions, serious efforts to renew the foundation of WFTU began. The Havana Congress held in 2005 was a clear departure from other congresses. The newly elected General Secretary has taken positive steps to revitalise the organisation. The CITU was invited to attend the Presidential Council meeting held at Brussels on 20 – 21 December last year. We explained our views on the question of challenges before the international T.U movement in the 21st century. As per invitation of WFTU General Secretary, the CITU will send a delegation to Athens, the new headquarters of the WFTU, and discuss further steps of co-operation. The WFTU has no affiliated union in any major developed capitalist country. Lack of financial resources is still creating bottlenecks in its functioning; yet the new leadership is making attempts to revitalise the organisation. The CITU believes that though no international unity is possible in the near future, it is possible to develop united actions at the national or regional levels so that unity from below can be developed. Due to our efforts, an international meeting of the miners’ organisations will be held in Kolkata in February 2008, in which unions of all international affiliations as well as unions having no international affiliation will join together to workout commonly agreed policies. Such industry level unity will also pave the way for further broader unity at the global level. Globalisation has brought together the capitalist class, but the working class is still divided and a clear-cut policy of struggle is yet to be evolved at a global level. The 12th Conference of the CITU may discuss these aspects so that we can play a more effective role in the international T.U. movement. A large number of fraternal delegates from abroad are attending our conference. It is a great honour for us to welcome them. Let us assure all the delegates the CITU’s sincere desire to strengthen the ties of friendship with them in the future. Without worldwide unity, working class cannot realise its objective. FORWARD TO BIGGER CLASS BATTLES The performance of the UPA Government during the last two and a half years, is a catalogue of blatant violations of most of the commitments given in its National Common Minimum Programme. The working and living conditions of the toiling masses have deteriorated considerably while the capitalists are enjoying the fruits of the concessions given by the UPA Government. The bursting of sensex index above 14,000 and the super profits achieved by several major private sector undertakings in just one year, is a vivid testimony of this harsh reality. The globalisation policies pursued by the Manmohan Singh Government has enhanced the rate of exploitation of the working class. The condition of the peasantry and agricultural labourers has become worse; lakhs of peasants have committed suicide. The prices of essential commodities have gone up sky high hitting hard below the belt the poorer strata of the Indian society. The unemployment situation in the country has worsened both in urban and rural areas, despite passing of the Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Despair among the young generation entering the employment market is increasing rapidly. The utter collapse of public distribution system has made life miserable for the vast masses of the Indian society. Commercialisation of education system has made higher education a luxury for the ordinary people. Though the number of people below the poverty line is increasing official statistics are fudged through manipulation to show that poverty is declining. Mere growth in GDP does not automatically lead to reduction in poverty but this hard reality is purposefully ignored to bolster the so-called achievements of globalisation. It is but natural that the discontent among the working class and the toiling masses is increasing rapidly. The massive success of the 14th December strike last year is a testimony of this emerging situation in the country. The urge for unity among the working class in the country has increased phenomenally which was visible when large sections of the workers belonging to the organisations opposing the nation-wide strike joined the strike with enthusiasm. We must utilise the favourable atmosphere created all over the country. Though there have been grey areas which require more attention, our efforts to build unity from below must be strengthened so that we can march forward in the direction of building all in unity of the working class. It is also necessary to develop common struggles of the working class and the peasantry so that our resistance becomes much more powerful and the ruling classes cannot ignore us. The objective conditions in the country are highly favourable for such an approach. The present situation demands that the working class must champion the vital interests of all the toiling sections, so that it can play a leading role in the struggles to oppose the policies of globalisation. It is from this point of view that we have to strengthen our relations with women’s, students’ and youth movements as well as with movements of cultural activists and scientists so that our struggles become all pervasive. The National Platform of Mass Organisations has to be strengthened to meet this requirement. We must take note of the fact that majority of our working class is still under the influence of capitalist and feudal ideologies. A struggle against these ideologies is of paramount importance to draw the working class into political struggles to fight the exploiting classes. When all over the world struggles against globalisation are coming to the forefront, the UPA Government is surrendering the national sovereignty to serve the global designs of US imperialism. The concessions given to FDI in various forms will only make our country dependent on foreign capital, which is coming to India not for our development, but for making profits. To meet the challenges of the present national and international situation we must build a powerful CITU organisation that would effectively lead the working class in their day-to-day struggles as well as in the struggle for social transformation. I am sure this 12th conference will deal with all the aspects of the challenges faced by us and chalk out ways to effectively meet the situation. The present stage of capitalist development in the form of neoliberal globalisation is not sustainable and working class and the toiling masses all over the world are bound to rise against all the machinations of monopoly capital. We must pass on this confidence to the working class so that it can play its historic role with firm determination.
Capitalist system is bound to fail; we must prepare the gravediggers of capitalism to discharge their responsibility!
M. K. PANDHE
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