Following an invitation from the leadership of WFTU a delegation consisting of A.K. Padmanabhan, Tapan Sen and S. Dev Roye visited the WFTU Head Quarter from 31st October to 3rd November.
CITU representatives held detailed discussions about the situation in the International Trade Union movement, the functioning of WFTU, coming 16th Congress of WFTU and various other issues of mutual interest. There were also exchanges of opinions and informations about the present situations and struggles in India, Greece and also in countries in various continents. The WFTU Secretariat was represented in the discussions by Comrades George Mavrikose (General Secretary), Valentine Pacho (Deputy General Secretary), Apostolos Sotripoulose ( WFTU representative in UNESCO), Mohammed Iqnaibi (WFTU representative for Palestine and Adviser on Arab issues) and Arthur Sequeria from Portugal.
CITU delegation had also meeting with the leadership of PAME (All workers militant front), the central trade union of Greece which is an affiliate of WFTU and the major organization in helping the functioning of the WFTU Head Quarters. PAME is in the forefront of struggles against the Greek Govt’s anti-workers, anti-people policies and is also a major force co-ordinating struggles in Europe. PAME was represented by its General Secretary Coms. George Perros, Head of International Dept., George Pantikos, Chrysoula Lamboudi (Head of Immigrants Secretariat) and other office bearers.
CITU delegation also had discussions with the leaders of Greek federation of Construction Workers, Federation of Textile and Clothing workers of Greece, Trade Union of Metal of Piraeus (A militant union of workers of ship building and repair works in the port of Piraeus near Athens).
A meeting of immigrant workers was organized by PAME in which CITU leaders participated. Com. Tapan Sen addressed the workers, numbering more than 150. These workers were from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. There are lakhs of immigrant workers in Greece, who, with the deepening economic crisis are facing a serious situation of unemployment, reduction of wages and intimidation and threats from the Govt. and also from various other forces. PAME has been organizing these workers and are leading the struggles on their demands.
Com. Tapan Sen, explained the deepening effect of the crisis on the working people all over the world and also the situation prevailing in the subcontinent. He congratulated the immigrant workers for getting organized and also thanked the leadership of PAME for leading the immigrant workers struggle. A cultural programme, of songs in Bengali was conducted by the cultural wing of the immigrant workers. PAME has started its cultural wing in various parts of the country.
The delegation also met the General Secretary Com. Aleka and other leaders of the Communist Party of Greece and exchanged greetings. The delegation was able to know the details of struggles that has engulfed the whole of Europe in this period. PAME has taken initiative to co-ordinate the struggles in Europe with a meeting of trade unions from 13 countries in Europe which was held on 17-18th September. A meeting of the various TUI leaders was organized by WFTU Head Quarters on 30th October. S. Dev Roye, President of TUI Energy attended this meeting.
The delegation was in Athens, when the whole country was busy with the ensuing local body elections. At the same time, hectic preparations are on for the 16th Congress of WFTU, to be held in the city of Athens from 6th to 10th April 2011.
Leaders of PAME told the delegation that efforts are being made to approach all the workers for the fund collections and other campaigns in connection with the Congress.
Source: www.citucentre.org/
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