The World Federation of Trade Unions WFTU has established September 1, the day of the beginning of Nazi Germany’s attack on humanity in 1939, as the World Trade Union Day of Action for Peace and in memory of the millions of victims of Nazism and fascism.
This year’s International Day of Action takes on even greater significance as the dramatic developments in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion have caused great human and material losses, further militarisation and intensification of armaments, while the growing tension in the Far East keeps the risk of a generalised conflict with unforeseen consequences for the whole of humanity visible.
At a time when the capitalist crisis and the pandemic have dramatically widened economic and social inequalities, the imperialist wars and interventions that continue in many parts of the world to control energy sources and markets are causing greater suffering for the working class and peoples, sowing death and destruction, forcing millions of people into refugeeism and emigration.
Cypriot workers, who for almost fifty years have been experiencing the results of the imperialist designs of NATO and its allies, express their support for the peoples affected by war, condemn the violation of international law and demand an immediate end to the war in Ukraine and the finding of a peaceful solution on the basis of international law.
We also oppose the wars and imperialist interventions in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere and express our solidarity with the people of Palestine and all peoples struggling for peace and for political and social rights.
At a time when the world is plunged into a deep economic and social crisis, and workers are facing job insecurity, unemployment, poverty and poverty, instead of increasing wages, channelling resources into health, education and social welfare, spending on military armaments are increasing.
Increasing military spending and armaments are not the solution for humanity, but instead, escalate tensions and confrontations and endanger world peace.
The class trade union movement of Cyprus joins with the workers of the whole world in the struggle for the defence of peace, for the dismantling of NATO and all military coalitions, and for a world without wars and interventions.
The common struggle of the workers for the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of Cyprus is part of the wider struggle of the peoples of the world for world peace.
The process of the talks should be resumed as soon as possible from the point where they left off in Crans Montana, since the passive passage of time, the absence of dialogue and the creation of new fait accompli create a negative atmosphere and lead to the definitive partition of our country.
On this symbolic day, with our joint declaration, we stress once again that we will not compromise with partition and we reiterate our commitment to continue our common struggle for peace and the reunification of our country.
For a just and mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with one sovereignty, one citizenship and one international personality, with political equality as defined in UN resolutions, for a demilitarised and independent state that serves the Cypriots and will turn our country into a bridge of peace and security for our entire region.
We call on all workers to join us at the event to be held in honour of September 1 to send a thunderous message that we continue the common struggle for peace and reunification.
