IMF affiliates in India demonstrate in solidarity with Mexican workers

INDIA: In solidarity with the Mexican workers, IMF affiliates in India INMF, SMEFI in coordination with IMF - South Asia Office, held spirited demonstrations and meetings at New Delhi and Mumbai on February 18 2010.

In New Delhi, More than 100 workers participated with banners and placards displaying the message of solidarity with their Mexican counterparts and demanding the Mexican government to respect Trade Union Rights, Human Rights, Freedom of Association and Democratic Functioning. The demonstration was addressed by S.D.Thyagi, Working President, SMEFI, Surendar Lal, Secretary, SMEFI, P J Raju, Secretary, INTUC and Sudhershan Rao, Director, IMF - SAO and Anup Srivastava, Education Officer, BWI India office.

The speakers condemned the brutal violation of workers' rights in Mexico and expressed solidarity with the Mexican miners and demanded the Mexican government to respect workers rights and rule of law.

Subsequently, a delegation of  trade unionists including Surendar Lal, Yadav, Sudhershan Rao, Mahendra Sharma (Asia Pacific Regional Secretary - ITF) and Anup Srivastava. His Excellency Jaime Nualart, Ambassador, assisted by Vladimir Vazquez Hernandez, Head of Political Department and Javier Basulto, Deputy Chief of Mission met the delegation. During the interaction, the delegation urged the Ambassador to convey Indian Trade Unionists' strong resentment over the violation of workers' rights in Mexico. Mexican Ambassador said, he agrees in principle, adequate compensation need to be given to the victims of mine accident and he would definitely convey the feelings of the Indian trade unionists to the Mexican government and promised to inform about its response.

In Mumbai more than 75 workers participated in a demonstration in solidarity with Mexican workers organised by SMEFI and the memorandum was faxed to the Mexican consulate office. The demonstration was addressed by Comrade. S K Shetye, senior leader of SMEFI and General Secretary Mumbai Port Trust Union, Sanjay Vadhavkar General Secretary, SMEFI, Vikas Nalawade, Treasurer, Shipbreaking Workers' Union and others. 

In Kolkata, on February 19 around 300 workers held a demonstration in front of Consulate of the United States of Mexico at Kolkota, against the state sponsored repression on the Mexican workers. The demonstration was jointly staged by Workers of M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd under the banner of GRSE Workmen's Union (GRSEWMU) along with other unions namely Paharpur Cooling Towers Ltd Mazdoor Sabha, IMC Employees Union, JRE Employees Union, Card Board Sramik Union and area wise omnibus union garden Reach Contract Security & Labours Union. Subsequently, under the leadership of Kamal Tewary, President GRSEWMU five member delegation including Chonmoy Jana, General Secretary, GRSEWMU, Tarapada Das, General Secretary, PCTMS, Md.Yunus, General Secretary IMCEU, Mintu, JREEU met the officials at Consulate of Mexico, Kolkota and submitted a memorandum.