Indian trade unions support Gulf workers plight: CITU

Kochi, Apr 20 (UNI) Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) President M K Pandhe today said various trade unions in India were extending their support to the workers' movement in Gulf countries.

Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of the eighth International Trade Union Congress on 'Southern Initiative on Globalisation and Trade Union Rights' (SIGTUR) here, Mr Pandhe said '' We are aware of the fact that trade unionism was not encouraged in the Gulf countries and the migrant workers were facing exploitation at all levels.'' '' The recent workers' protests in the Gulf countries were heard by the administrators and it was a victory for the working class over there,'' he added.

On the recent reports of Indian workers being exploited in a US shipping firm, Mr Pandhe said the matter had been taken up with the trade unions in the United States.

He said the Congress was discussing the problems of migrant workers and a declaration on the matter would be finalised in two days.

Apart from the migrant workers' issue, the Congress was discussing the growth of Multinational Corporations, social security for all, working women plight in globalisation era, unorganised workers problem, organisation of trade unions and development of international solidarity.

Mr Pandhe said efforts were on to chalk out an action plan to face the onslaught of globalisation.

'' We are not against the trade unions of the developed countries, but we are trying to forge an alliance with them to fight for workers' rights in the globalised era,'' he added.

About 200 delegates, including 82 foreign, were participating in the five-day Congress, which began yesterday.

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