On March 31, a rally-picket was held in Moscow as part of global protest days against anti-social policies and austerity measures at the call of the International Workers Association (IWA). The action was organized by the section of the IWA in Russia (KRAS-IWA).

It was attended by a total of about 40 people: representatives of various social organizations (KRAS-IWA, Autonomous Action, Committee of 19 January, trade union "Teacher", civil initiatives, etc.). The rally was held on the square “Krasnopresnenskaya zastava” with the monument to the heroes of the revolution of 1905-1907. Dozens of passing people stopped to listen to the speakers. The newspaper "Direct action" of the Russian section of IWA was distributed. The action covered by the public television network (SOTV.RF).

The struggle for power between different political groups, as expected, didn`t give solutions to the most pressing social problems of workers in Russia. Elections come and go, but our situation isn`t changed for the better.

We obtain the lowest wages and pensions in Europe. The prices of essential commodities and of all necessary services (housing and communal services, transportation etc.) rising continually. The "law of the state-owned institutions" (FL-83) is introduced which finally takes the health, education and child care on a commercial ground, and makes them more and more unaffordable for ordinary workers and pensioners. The ?single state examination? at the end of school study, due to overall corruption, favors students whose parents have fat wallets. The workers in enterprises and institutions are completely powerless: the 8-hour workday is, in fact, canceled in many enterprises and institutions; the right to organize trade unions in a large part of firms simply does not exist; the ability to strike is reduced almost to zero, and the workers and social activists are persecuted for their convictions and dismissed for attempts to defend their interests (the practice of "ban on the profession"). The migrant workers are completely deprived of any rights at all.

However, this is not enough for the authorities and capitalists. They are preparing new anti-social measures. Some new reforms are proposed: a pension reform (with rising of retirement age in spite of a low average life expectancy in the country), a reform of labour laws (with removal of restrictions on working hours, freedom of layoffs, etc.). The sphere of paid medicine and education extends even more. Our social rights are being cut every day, every hour!

The CNT-AIT and the Spanish working class are involved in a bitter fight and call on the support of the international working class.

The so-called Labour Reform is a direct attack on the workers rights, pay and working conditions. In 2010, the “socialist” government introduced a round of measures which slashed public sector pay, drove down pensions and cut public services. The new right wing government is carrying on where the old government left off. They are embarking on yet another round of austerity cuts which will further drive down the conditions of life of Spanish workers and it aims to crush or/and weaken the ability of workers to organize and fight.

The current attack on Spanish workers and on the worldwide working class has one sole objective, to secure the economical dictatorship of the capitalists. The price of freedom and security for the capitalists is slavery for the working class. This is the nature of capitalism. The only path to emancipation for us as workers is to take control of our own struggle: A struggle that is directed against and outside the class collaborationist structures and that through Direct Action confronts and defeats the evil that is Capitalism.

The Secretariat of the International Workers Association (IWA) sends its support to the General Strike on March 29 called by the Spanish CNT-AIT and the mobilizations and workers Direct Actions that are so strongly needed further to fight the Capitalist offensive!

Long live the CNT-AIT and anarchosyndicalism!
Long live the AIT!

Oslo, March 21- 2012

Anarchosyndicalist greetings
from the IWA-Secretariat

The International Workers Association (IWA) organizes Action Days on March 29, 30 and 31. The Actions are international and against Capitalist Austerity Measures, Exploitation, and Oppression with focus on global, regional and local issues/ work conflicts etc.

The IWA -Actions coincide with the March 29 General Strike in Spain. The Spanish CNT-AIT has made a call for General Strike and Sections and the IWA- Secretariat will show solidarity with our Spanish sister organization.