[APWSLMembers 661] invitation to the 24th KMU International Solidarity Affairs

[kmu id]

30 January 2008


Dear fellow Trade Unionists and Supporters:

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) extends its greetings of international solidarity to
you with commitment and enthusiasm as we mark the beginning of another year
in the crucible of working class struggle.

We are writing to invite you to attend the KMU's 24th International
Solidarity Affair (ISA) set to take place from 29 April – 9 May 2008 in
Manila, Philippines.

Workers and toiling people of the world face 2008 with growing dismay, alarm
and outrage at the continuing deterioration of our jobs, lives, and human
rights at the hands of imperialist onslaught. The current crisis of the
world capitalist system, pushed by the U.S.'s agenda of "neoliberal"
globalization and the global war of terror are responsible for deepening the
crisis of monopoly capitalism.

Both in the imperialist and poor countries alike, the workers suffer from
low wages, high unemployment and job insecurity. Their democratic rights to
form unions and to strike are restricted. Workers bear the daily violence of
the exploitative and oppressive system of imperialism at its worst.

In the Philippines, the non-stop repression of workers' rights is seen in
outright violence and harassment on picket lines, such as the food blockade
and violent dispersal in Jan 26 against the more than 350 picketing workers
of Hanjin Garments in Laguna in Southern Tagalog. Worse is the abduction and
brutal murder of labor leaders and unionists in a desperate attempt to
dampen the assertion of labor rights. Since 2001 under the US-supported
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo regime, 78 workers and labour advocates have been
killed and hundreds became victims of abduction, harassment and grave
intimidation.

But the working class and the people of the world are fighting back against
imperialist plunder. There is an upsurge in workers' struggles against
suppression of rights, unemployment, diminution of social benefits, racism,
discrimination and repression.

In factories, workplaces, communities, marches, protest rallies, and
strikes, the proletariat and people in the imperialist and oppressed
countries are standing up in defense of their rights. There is a rising tide
of international solidarity against killings, enforced disappearances and
other forms of trade union and political repression.

Against this backdrop, we invite you to participate in this year's ISA.
Together, let us gather and share our common experiences and struggles as we
continue to draw lessons in our journey to advance our common fight for
workers' rights and achieve the historic liberation of the working class.

Attached is the concept paper with further details of ISA 2008.

Thank you and we look forward to hearing your positive response.

In solidarity,
Elmer Labog
KMU Chairperson
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