MAY DAY STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF COMTUWA
Confederation of Mano- River Sub-Regional Migration Free Trade Unions of West Africa
I am very pleased to be welcome by my fellow Union Comrades and Workers alike. Let me say that today is not a day to gather merely to listen.
We need to take urgent and positive actions on a lot of issues that are being raised today in Liberia by Workers, Pensioners, the Unemployed, Traders, Transporters, indigenous and Tribal peoples that the significant of the 2024 May Day is that Working People around the world have always had to struggle to win fair treatment, decent wages and safe working conditions.
In 1860, they campaigned for shorter working hours in many Countries and two days later, Chicago police killed several demonstrators, at a clash between workers and striker's breakers in the city, a rally was held in HayMarket Square to protest the killing and when the police tried to forcibly disperse the crowd, a bomb was thrown and seven policemen were killed while dozens in the crowd were injured.
Eight leaders of the Chicago Workers Movement were charged with the police death, although none had thrown the bomb, but they were all convicted. Four were executed, one died in custody and the three were given life in prison but were eventually pardoned. In memory of this struggle and the struggle of all workers for better conditions, May 1, was declared an eight-hour holiday in 1889 by the International Workers Congress in Paris.
Therefore, in many countries, May 1, each year, is Workers holiday. This year, 2024 May Day is symbolic in many respects for the COMTUWA.
Firstly, we are marching toward a united front for the format of COMTUWA.
Secondly, this is our May Day Celebration and we are committed to sustaining the collaboration as a basis to consummate national labor unity in the future of the Labour Movement in the sub-region.
Thirdly, we proud to say that we have been faithful to the vision of the founding Fathers of the COMTUWA together with our members and Allies; we have the COMTUWA as a strong and committed institution capable of defending the rights and interest of Workers, their families and Trade Unions. In the four West African Countries.
Brothers and Sister the Mano River Union (MRU) which was established as an instrument of regional cooperation consisting of Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cote d'Ivoire founded in 1973 with two countries at the time Liberia and Sierra Leone and later Guinea joined in 1980 and it was now considered as a sub-regional and bilingual organization with French and English as official language.
Furthermore, because to the volatile and conflicts ridden experiences of this sub- region from the late 1980 to the early 2000 particular in Liberia where 250,000 workers and children died, the activities of the MRU have been dominated by concerns about conflicts management peace and security while at the same time Cote d' Ivories also had a polarizing civil war in 2002 and was plagued by political instability and with it contested election result.
Fellow comrade in both the Liberian civil war, 1989 to 2003, and the Sierra Leonean civil war, 1991 to 2002 the both wars wreaked Havoc and Devastation on workers and citizens with destabilizing effect on the west African region.
To the LIRWTU, I, will like to say it is not only in the rural tribal people's communities but because Revolution is a major factor in the wide-spread poverty, hunger and inequality in peasant rural communities in Liberia for them to be self- sufficient in the agriculture programmes to help you all to know your rights.
I also want to speak to you to stand for the rights of indigenous people to govern yourselves free from exploitation and state oppression by some politicians and human rights violations because COMTUWA in the sub-region will be strengthening the capacities of workers in general to launch campaigns for indigenous people's rights and welfare and to also to support grass roots campaign and action for the defense of lands, territories/countries and way of life.
We believe strongly in the power of collaboration and will work closely together with the government through the ministry of Labour, the Liberia Labour Congress to organize workshops and seminars for labor commissioners and labor inspectors as well as national unions leadership in the not too distant future.
After more than a century, where is democratic inclusion? Where is equality? Where is economic freedom? Where is justice in favor of the workers? Where is unity? Where is the partition where all these good promises?
Liberia, past and present political actors have clearly shown the lack of political will to uphold and defend these fundamental promises of our independence. Overtime, most citizens have lost the appetite to celebrate Liberia's birth anniversary simply because they believe that it is worthless to be happy in the midst of poverty and hardship.
May Day is meant to revive national courage and restore broken hopes. Mayday renews good memories of economic, political, and social transformation. mayday means for everyone regardless of your status to have access to basic social services. It also means to equitably distribute national resources. Other countries around the world are eager to celebrate their mayday because the promises of their mayday are still in tight!
Recently, Americans happily observed their May Day because the promises of Americans yesterday are still upheld today. Right around to be exact in Ghana there was a nationwide mayday celebration. Citizens of that region have had sufficient reason to commemorate such a special day.
We would also like to ask "How can Liberia boast of being 176 years old when most of its citizens are subjected to economic deprivation, marginalization, and destitution?
How can we brag of being the leader of the first independent country in Africa, when our economy is at the verge of collapse? Why aren't we growing along with our age? This is a big shame to Africa's first independent republic.
The country's greatest problem is that most Liberian politicians are careless to improve the living standard of ordinary people. They go the extra mile to achieve their selfish political ambition and enrich themselves through ill- transparent practices. They lack integrity to protect the constitution which guarantees the inalienable rights of all citizens and workers. It is an open secret that the destiny of the oppressed majority is still imprisoned by members of the elite class.
This country belongs to all Liberians; as such, divisiveness and class system must come to an end. Everyone must be given a fair chance to chart his/her own course politically, socially, and economically. Realities in the recent past and now suggest that our country has not aspired to the level of self-determination.
We have achieved political freedom to some extent, but where is the economic freedom? Our current dilemma is more economical. Until we can fight to gain economic independence, our political situation will continue to shift downward if Liberia cannot get better when the hope and aspiration of our independence are decaying.
For this reason, COMTUWA is prepared to strengthen the indigenous organization so that it can be in the position to represent rural workers' interests.
We all should join together to stop the super exploitation of our human and natural resources from the hands of the so-called expatriates and other political enemies of our country who are made worse by the growth of corruption against workers.
By destroying our forests, digging golds and diamonds without proper authority from the tribal peoples, but one day they will be forced to sit with you to discuss the issues of the mineral resources that you have been keeping for years before going into any operation against your will as citizens of this country Liberia.
Fellow comrades I want to inform you that west Africa has many problems and challenges, challenges of under employment and development rampant poverty and corruption and the people and high rate of unemployment to that continue to rise goes alone with insecurity, low intra-regional trade among west African states which is below 15% creating hardship in the region.
To conclude, a trade union is an organization freely and democratically formed by the workers with a view to protecting and promoting their collective interests. These interests include job security, better working conditions, better remuneration, and general improvement in living conditions.
In addition, from time to time, worker's organizations are preoccupied by functions which, much as they are traditional trade union functions, are imposed by the changing social, political and economic conditions and are within the general interests of their members.
Moreover, at times, the general civil society has looked upon workers' organizations to contribute directly and indirectly to the democratization process of their societies, offer alternative policies to economic reforms, employment creation, international policies and general development activities. As in any organization, these dynamic situations often call for responsibility and a well-informed leadership quality at the level of trade unions.
Thank you for your attention. Long live Liberia!
Reference:
Mr. Jerry Duplaye
Joepkblee Pleemu Clan, Toedee District Montserrado County, Republic of Liberia
comtuwasubregional2020@gmail.com
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