Global Plenary of the ILNSS shares reports on ongoing struggles

On October 19th, the Virtual Global Plenary of the International Network of Solidarity and Labor Struggles was held, bringing together representatives from trade unions and social movements from various parts of the world. The meeting aimed to share information, perspectives, and experiences of local struggles in different countries, with a special focus on updates from Ukrainian activists, who have been resisting local attacks and Russia’s invasion for over two and a half years, and from Brazil, with updates on mobilizations against the G20 in the country, scheduled for November 18th and 19th. Due to specific difficulties in each region, some of the activists scheduled to participate in the plenary could not be present to share their reports.

Palestine

This was the case for the representative of the PPSWU, the Palestinian Postal Service Workers Union, who lives in the West Bank. Beyond the genocide happening in Gaza, other occupied territories face blockades, repression, and Israeli military violence, hindering workers’ organization, communication, and mobilization.

Since October 7, 2023, more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by the State of Israel. In addition to Gaza, in the West Bank alone, the number of women imprisoned has exceeded 420, and at least 740 children have been detained. Among journalists, 108 have been arrested during this period, with 58 still in custody. Moreover, at least 40 Palestinian prisoners have been killed in detention, with 38 of them having their bodies withheld.

Bangladesh
Representatives from Bangladesh, from the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF), affiliated with the Network, were unable to attend the plenary due to connectivity issues. However, it was reported that the country is experiencing a wave of significant mobilizations led by students and workers, which resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In the context of struggles in Bangladesh, at least 600 workers have been killed, including 7 members of the NGWF, according to information released by the affiliate.

Venezuela
The representative from Venezuela, a country facing a harsh political and economic situation, was also unable to participate due to personal reasons. We continue to spread awareness and support local struggles, especially the mobilization of oil workers, the National Workers’ Conflict Committee, and other Venezuelan resistance organizations.

Ukraine: Impact of war on workers
Yuri Samoilov, president of the Independent Miners' Union of Ukraine in Kryvyi Rih and coordinator of the Local Confederation of Free Trade Unions, reported on the devastation that more than two years of war and invasion have brought to the country.

The ongoing conflict has led to heavy loss of life, with workers being forced to fight on the frontlines, and increasing inflation and taxes on wages, further worsening the situation. “The land of Ukraine belongs to the rich, but those fighting to defend it are the poor,” Yuri stated, emphasizing that Ukrainian oligarchs remain untouched by harsh fiscal policies, while workers bear the brunt of sacrifices. He also highlighted the recent release of Maksym Butkevych, a highly respected leftist activist, as an important milestone in this war.

The water crisis was also a theme in his speech, particularly regarding the region of Kryvyi Rih, where workers face increasing challenges in accessing this vital resource. “For about a month, miners have been forced to bring their own water to work, as there is no supply at the sites.” He explained that the local union is leading a fight to secure the right to potable water, denouncing the lack of corporate action and demanding immediate solutions. He also mentioned the ongoing effort for unity of action to raise awareness of class struggle, denouncing organizations that receive international financial support but act in favor of conciliation in the country.

Pavlo “KortX,” a student from the Priama Diia Union, shared the battles that the new generation of the group is facing in Ukraine, combining local and national struggles. As human rights activists, they are engaged in issues such as the privatization of student dormitories and the lack of housing for students, particularly at universities like Lviv Polytechnic National University. In this context, students have organized, occupied communal spaces, and held student assemblies, despite attempts by the administration to suppress these actions. Additionally, the movement seeks to secure more resources for universities while facing local resistance and increasing pressure to privatize higher education.

On a national level, Priama Diia also opposes the government’s attempt to make all male students serve in the army, advocating that military service should be voluntary. Furthermore, the group denounces the non-payment of promised wages to soldiers on the frontlines, a problem that exacerbates the precarious situation for many. Inspired by international movements like Solidaires in France and the Workers' Initiative (IP) in Ukraine, Priama Diia continues fighting for student rights and against the privatization of education, while seeking to protect students from oppressive government policies.

Brazil: Mobilizations against the G20
Another key topic was Brazil, which this year assumed the G20 presidency and will host the group’s meeting in November. Herbert Claros, from CSP-Conlutas, reported that several trade unions and social movements in Brazil, including CUT, MST, and CTB, are part of a coordinated resistance effort against the presence of the G20 in the country.

However, there is an attempt by the Lula government to silence protests, promoting an image of pacification to the world, which has led some movements to align with these concerns. In contrast, other independent organizations, such as CSP-Conlutas and Jubileu Sul, are maintaining the organization of a counter-summit for the same period, called the People’s Summit.

In this regard, an invitation was extended to those who can be present in the country, and a call was made for international organizations to hold protests against the G20 at Brazilian embassies or consulates on November 18th, the opening day of the official event.

The Network’s Plenary once again demonstrated the strength of international solidarity. This international articulation continues to be a fundamental pillar in building a global labor and popular movement of resistance, capable of addressing the global challenges affecting the working class.

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