Ein wichtiger Schritt in der Gewerkschaftsbewegung

Am letzten Juliwochenende fand in Ramallah eine besondere Konferenz statt: Einzelgewerkschaften und Arbeiterkomitees, die zusammen über 50.000 Mitglieder vertreten trafen sich, um eine neue unabhängige Gewerkschaftsföderation zu bilden - die beiden bisher bestehenden sind entweder direkt der PLO verbunden oder aus Zeiten des tunesischen Exils internationalen arabischen Strukturen verhaftet. Zum Beginn der Konferenz verbreitete das DWRC am 27. Juli 2007 die englische Presseerklärung "Historic Conference for New Democratic and Independent Trade Union Coalition in Palestine Begins"

Historic Conference for New Democratic and Independent Trade Union Coalition in Palestine Begins

Palestine: Democratic and independent trade unions and workers’ committees representing more than 50,000 female and male workers gathered on Friday morning at an opening ceremony to begin a historic two-day conference to establish a new labor coalition.

Ramallah, July 27, 2007: Democratic and independent trade unions and workers’ committees representing more than 50,000 female and male workers in Palestine gathered on Friday morning at an opening ceremony at the Ramallah Cultural Palace to begin a historic two-day conference to establish a new labor coalition.

An audience of trade unionists and leaders listened to speeches on the importance of developing a democratic labor movement and fostering grassroots organizing in Palestinian workplaces.

Financial Sector Employee Association President, Abdel Hakim Alayan, addressed the crowd on behalf of the new coalition: “Democracy is a basic component of a genuine union movement. This coalition will light a candle in the dark of divisions and will lead us to the light of unity. It will be the cornerstone of rebuilding civil society which ultimately will contribute to the democratization of Palestinian society.”

The main goal of this conference, hosted by the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center, is to strengthen the representative and negotiating power of the independent trade union movement in order to represent the will of Palestinian workers.

Hasan Barghouthi, DWRC General Director, noted: “One of the main challenges for this coalition will be to learn from the history of union movement so that we don’t repeat past mistakes. Until now, Palestinian labor federations have been largely controlled by political factions but with no influence on politics.”

Ahmad Tawfiq, Director of Labor Relations at the Palestinian Ministry of Labor expressed his willingness to work with the new coalition: I know all of you, and know that you are democratic and genuine professional and independent trade unions with leadership elected by the grassroots members.”

Speaking on behalf of the National and Islamic Parties, PLO Executive Committee Member, Saleh Rafat, spoke about the current state of the labor movement in Palestine. “The trade union movement is suffering from division and bureaucracy and should unite on a democratic basis not in a bureaucratic way from the top down,” he asserted.

Oxford Trade Union Council representative, Anthony Richardson, traveled from the United Kingdom to attend the conference. “You are the future for the people of this world because we need democracy. I have political opinions, we all do. But I’m not here because my political party put me here, I’m here because my members put me here,” he said.

The opening ceremony was followed by conference proceedings at the Rocky Hotel in Ramallah. Delegates selected by their trade union and worker committee membership will hold elections for the central council and the executive committee of the new coalition, as well as adopt a constitution and internal regulations.

The conference will close on Saturday with a press conference. The newly elected leadership will give statements regarding the future of the Palestinian trade union movement.