A May Day Message

On May Day 2011 the IUF sends fraternal greetings to our members and to workers everywhere. Democratic revolt in North Africa and the Middle East, in which unions have played a decisive role, has inspired profound hope in the region and around the world, amplifying May Day’s historic message that organized labour remains the motor force for democracy. The Syrian regime’s use of massive force against its population, the ongoing civil war in Libya, retaliation against the independent unions in Bahrain and the ongoing repression and imprisonment of trade unionists in Iran testify that tyranny is far from vanquished. The IUF pledges its full support for workers in these regions in their struggle for a democratic society free of corruption and violence in which unions can freely and fully defend the interests of working people.