From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2001 10:34:05 EDT
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Join email protest against 19th century-style Labor Code in Russia
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RUSSIA INFO-LIST
from International Solidarity with Workers in Russia - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ISWoR web-site - http://members.aol.com/ISWoR/english/index.html
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Urgent - please distribute this protest petition widely
NO RETURN TO THE 19th CENTURY!
* Support Russian Unions Day of Action on 19th June!
* Sign the petition below and join the international protest now!
In the years before the Soviet Union collapsed, its peoples were informed
that in a market economy, everyone is rich, free and happy. Today the market
is king, and they are fast achieving a Third-World lifestyle. The collapse
of
half of Russia's industry has caused mass unemployment with no welfare net.
Meanwhile those who work face poverty-wages or non-payment, payment in kind
(eg; coffins, condoms, or manure), horrific safety conditions and job
insecurity. Many Russians feed their families from what they can grow in a
back plot. TB and other diseases of poverty, prostitution, enslavement of
women in the sex trade, drug abuse, alcoholism and crime have become
epidemic. The import of toxic nuclear waste is a growth industry. Today the
average male life expectancy is just 56.
And now the IMF and World Bank, in collaboration with the Russian
authorities, demand a "modernised" Labor Code that will impose: a 12 hour
working day; arbitrary firing at the whim of the boss who can choose which
union represents "his" workers; child labour; night shifts for pregnant
women
.... and a general drawing back of labour rights to Dickensian times.
Independent unions across Russia will collectively protest on June 19, 2001
against Putin's new Labor Code. The driving force of this broad committee
are
a new generation of activists. Unlike the old bureaucrats of the
neo-stalinist parties and the bosses' unions who collaborate with Putin, the
young activists are internationalists who oppose the Chechen war and have
spoken out against racism and bigotry. They back the pro-workers Code, the
Shein Code, which forbids sacking of workers without the permission of the
union, provides for a five-fold raise for low-paid workers, and even calls
for the unions to be given control over production and financial decisions
of
the enterprise, such as how much the boss will be paid!
Of course the battle will not end there. But the real gains already won by
this young movement in delaying the passage of the code, in organising
numerous militant strikes and highway blockades in defence of workers rights
in Astrakhan, Yasnogorsk and other regions, remain as a beacon of hope. If
bosses can turn the clock back against workers in Russia they can turn it
back on us all! Give your support and solidarity now.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
SIGN the international protest letter below.
JOIN ISWoR and get involved in our practical solidarity work. Besides an
e-mail petition, there is a printed version now being distributed at workers
and other events in many countries up to 19th June.
SUBSCRIBE to our free internet "Russia Info-List" . Apply to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
DONATE to "ISWoR" and support our important work.
Address for cheques to "ISWoR": ISWoR, 46 Denmark Hill, London SE5 8RZ
ENGLAND
MORE INFO? Visit our website:
http://members.aol.com/ISWoR/english/index.html
or e-mail us at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Note: All signatures to the petition below from many countries around the
world, in both the e-mail and hard copy form, will be combined and handed
into the Russian Embassy in London by an ISWoR delegation on 19th June. The
full international list of signatories will also appear on our website. You
may also wish to write your own protest letter.
TO PRESIDENT PUTIN OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Dear President Putin,
The new Labor Code proposed by your government destroys job
security,
renders unions powerless, and returns labour rights to nineteenth century
levels. The new provisions governing the labour of children and pregnant
women, the 12 hour day, etc, indicate that your government is prepared to
drastically worsen the situation of millions of working people already
suffering severe misery.
Be aware that there is mass international support for the protest
actions
that will be organised, on 19 June 2001, by the committee of unified action
in support of the independent Trade Union version of the Labor Code,
introduced in the Duma by deputy O. Shein.
Signed,
NAME ���������������
ORGANISATION ����������.
TOWN ���������������
COUNTRY �������������.
Now send e-mail copies to the following three addresses:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
This e-mail has already been (or is being) translated various languages. If
you can help with any language, or require the text in any language, please
contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] immediately.
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The RUSSIA INFO-LIST
puts out information and analysis from a wide range of sources.
If you have something you would like to distribute on Russia
Info-List,
or
want to help in our practical solidarity work, contact:
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]<
Box R, 46 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8RZ, England
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