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“Many countries in Europe, on the brink of financial and economic collapse, have been forced to lay off thousands of workers, impose wage cuts and freezes, and increase the retirement age. At the same time, they are increasing taxes, privatizing state agencies, social programmes and slashing benefits,” the release stated.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Commission (EC) have argued that these reforms are necessary to ensure fiscal balance; but, according to FITUG, those measures will only serve to deepen poverty and destitution.
“The measures, moreover, are seen as an attempt by the ruling classes and their politicians and agents to justify the dismantling of the European social model. The measures being imposed will only serve to exacerbate inequality and foster injustice. Workers and citizens are paying the price for the crisis,” the release further stated.
It noted that the latest figures from the European Commission show that the European economy is shrinking in 2012, which, according to them, confirms that the policy of coordinated budget cuts undermines rather than supports a potential recovery.
FITUG stated that its solidarity to the continent-wide struggles of the European working peoples and youth necessarily entails its strongest condemnation of the brutality meted out by the state to the millions of demonstrators on the streets at the behest of the ruling elites.
“FITUG views the continuing struggles by the European working peoples as historic. For the first time in decades, if not in history, the world has, and is experiencing, the continent-wide coordination of workers’ struggles in defence of their legitimate rights, interests, livelihoods and genuine democracy,” the release affirmed.
The organisation said this is an important precedent in these times, and the international working class will certainly find it useful in their continuing struggles for social justice and an alternative socio-economic system.
