Autumn issue 2103 - cfmeu

I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E W S
with Vinnie Molina
Workers lose friend in Chavez
Construction workers in Australia
need to know the struggle for
workers and trade union rights is at
stake the world over.
This edition of the Construction
Worker reports on the sad passing
of Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez. We send our condolences
to his family, the Bolivarian
government and its people. We
send our condolences also to the
Venezuelan construction workers
whose working conditions and
wages were improved under his
leadership.
President Chavez gained power in
an electoral process in 1998 and
took office in 1999 with an increase
of popularity of up to 80%.
The multinational corporations in
the resource sector, particularly oil
and gas, controlled the economy at
that time and profits went into
private pockets. Unemployment
was as high as 20% and jobs were
precarious with workers’ rights not
guaranteed. The right to organise
was undermined by legislation and
in practice.
During 14 years in government,
Chavez and his Bolivarian
Revolution reverted the process,
nationalising the oil industry and
using their huge profits to fund
social projects such as free
education and health with the help
and solidarity of Cuba.
Unemployment fell considerably, to
a low 7.5%, and extreme poverty
and poverty reduced as a large
proportion of the GDP was invested
in the wellbeing of the people.
He won the most recent presidential elections, held on 7th October 2012, with
over 56% of the vote. A clear mandate to continue the economic, political and
social reforms that have empowered workers and the people in general in
Venezuela.
On Tuesday 5th March, after a two year battle with cancer, President Chavez
passed away. He had served 14 years in government transforming Venezuelan
society in the best interest of the people.
With over 9 million people marching and forming long queues to farewell their
president for the last time, the mass media tries hard to hide this fact and
portray Hugo Chavez as a dictator instead.
Millions of workers around the world and governments have paid their respects
to a President that helped to change the future of Venezuela, Latin America and
the world. Poor people in New Orleans still remember, when abandoned by
their government, Hugo Chavez provided them with free gas during the Katrina
disaster.
CAMBODIAN GARMENT WORKERS WIN
$200,000 BACK PAY FROM WAL-MART
In Cambodia, the brave stand taken by 700 garment workers against Wal-Mart,
saw them win $200,000 in back payments. The workers determination to fight
for justice, better wages and conditions was not light. They faced repression at
the picket lines and went on hunger strikes, preventing scabs and stopping the
removal of machinery out their factories.
International solidarity was essential,
with Wal-Mart workers in Illinois
demonstrating in support. The good
news is, that at a meeting in Phom Penh
on 1st March, Wal-Mart agreed to pay
the workers entitlements.
Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.
Construction Worker – Autumn 2013 Page 55
CFMEU