22 September, 2016As former Brazilian president Lula da Silva is under attack and facing an unjustified trial, the international trade union movement is coming together to protest against the sham charges.
“Lula is a hero for workers around the world and a symbolic target for conservative forces who want to go back on social reform. We can not allow this attack and we stand with Lula,” says IndustriALL Global Union general secretary Jyrki Raina.
During his presidency, Lula’s government brought 30 million people out of poverty, reduced child labour, empowered women, raised the minimum wage, reduced unemployment, and provided social security – the Bolsa Familia. Lula achieved all of this while growing Brazil’s economy, and ensuring that the proceeds of this new wealth were fairly distributed.
On 4 – 7 October, IndustriALL will hold its second Congress in Brazil, a country with one of the strongest trade union movements in Latin America.
“We are holding the Congress in Rio to show our support for the struggle of the Brazilian workers as well as Lula, who will be speaking during the opening session,” says IndustriALL general secretary Jyrki Raina.
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has launched an international petition to show that the world stands with Lula, taking a stand against a blatant attack on democratic forces.
#SomosTodosLula