2 February, 201150,000 people marched in the streets of Mexico City on January 31 demanding economic and political changes that better protect the rights and needs of Mexican people. The struggle for workers' rights in Mexico will continue with Global Days of Action from February 14 to 19.
MEXICO: Under the flags, posters and banners of a broad coalition of independent trade unions including the Mexican Electrical Workers' Union (SME) and IMF-affilated Mexican Miners' Union (SNTMMSRM), civil organizations and farmers groups, 50,000 people participated in a national march on Reform Avenue in Mexico City on January 31, 2011.
The demands of the demonstrators concentrated on calling for a change in direction in Mexico's economy, politics and society, including rejecting the austerity programme and proposed labour law reforms of the Felipe Calderón administration. The protests also called for a reduction in poverty, promoting sustainable agriculture for small to medium sized producers and putting a stop to the widespread use of violence.
The independent trade unions participating in the march on January 31 will be continuing to co-ordinate a series of actions across Mexico during the forthcoming global days of action demanding trade union rights in Mexico.
Independent unions including the Mexican Miners' Union (SNTMMSRM), the Mexican Electrical Workers' Union (SME), the UNTyPP union representing workers in Mexico's state-owned petroleum company PEMEX, the National Union of General Tyre Workers of Mexico (SNTGTM) and the Union of the Autonomous University of Mexico's Workers (SUTUACM), as well as the Mexican Telephone Workers' Union (STRM), Authentic Workers' Front (FAT) and up to thirty other unions affiliated to the National Union of Workers (UNT) have all faced violent attacks, intimidation and repression of trade union rights.
Trade unions in at least 30 countries around the world affiliated to the IMF, ICEM, ITF, UNI Global Union, and ITUC are taking action from February 14 to 19 demanding the Mexican government stop violating trade union rights in Mexico. For more details go to IMF's Mexico Action webpage at: www.imfmetal.org/Mexico2011