September 26th, 2014
Formation of BRICS and its financial institutions has encouraged me to compare with Washington Consensus and Bretton Woods system. It further encourages me to make a point- do we consider BRICS as the process to answer Bretton Woods’s world? If it is the case, let me put another point as food for thought- “How does it bring down the inequality which we are confronting on? How does it value the dignity of working people? How does it balance between Capital and the Labour?”
Distinguished Chairperson,
Fellow delegates, comrades!
We are participating in the International Forum on Economic Globalization and Trade Unions; marking its 10th episodes. I recalled- this forum was established in 2004 and had set an aim to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the world’s trade unions in the context of economic globalisation.
While revisiting its footsteps, October 11, 2004- I found a quote published in China Daily’s online edition of Cde Wang Zhaoguo; the then Chairman of ACFTU-
“All trade unions and international trade union organizations should respect every country’s model for the operation of their trade unions and the national development policy based on their national reality.
To this end, the trade union movement should overcome differences in ideology, culture and religion and international affiliation, and promote exchanges and dialogues between trade unions, seek common ground while putting aside differences, strengthen solidarity, enhance friendship and promote co-operation!”
A decade after, while addressing this forum, I found the quote of Chinese comrade is still relevant.
Your statistical analysis on globalisation and TNCs- “there are now 63,000 transnational companies with 800,000 affiliated branches, 93 per cent of whose headquarters are in the United States, Europe and Japan” was interesting.
ThusSame headline of China Daily on its online-edition dated October 11, 2004: “Trade unions launch Beijing Consensus” caught my attention sufficiently.
I assume, it must be the common position of our solidarity and departure point of our common journey. The ‘Consensus’ in my understanding is, “putting working class in the centre, realising fundamental rights of workers and caring much for interests, we have to practice our own model of unionism in order to expand working class hegemony over the prevalent socio and political economy.”
Let me congratulate ACFTU for organising forum of trade unions of large diverse family. Here in Beijing, let me ask a humble question to you delegates, within and beyond People’s Republic of China (PRC); “Colleagues, how far we’ve been able to materialise Beijing Consensus of 2004; let us think once.
No doubt, ACFTU has given much-more importance to make it successful and meaningful. As recalled, in two occasions of 2006 and 2008, the then CPC General Secretary and then President of the PRC Hu Jintao addressed the Forum and met all delegates. If I am not wrong, in one occasion, present President Xi Jinping who was Vice president of the PRC then had addressed the Forum. I have seen a wide range of senior officials of PRC along with high profile scholars have participated in the Forum.
It signifies the importance given by your side. Congratulation comrades!
Over a period of a decade, we in Nepal are following interesting discussion under this broad theme Globalisation and Trade Unions. We are witnessing a beautiful contour of themes, which were chosen the year by year. I would begin with the word Beijing Consensus (2004), asthe departure point-
2004- “Beijing Consensus”
2005- “Strategy and Measures to Raise Unionization Rate” and “Trade Unions and Poverty Eradication in the Contest of Globalization”
2006- “Building Harmonious Labour Relations for Common Development”
2008- “Sustainable Development, Decent Work and Role of the Trade Unions”
2009- “Scientific Development, Decent Work and Workers’ Rights & Interests”
2010- “International Financial crisis and Role of Trade Unions”
2011- …
2012- “Respecting Labour, Safeguarding Rights”
2013- “Equal Opportunities, Common Development”
2014- “Reform Development Dream”
In these all endeavour my own union is lucky to participate in three episodes- 2010 the then my Secretary General had addressed the Forum, and I was participant last year and repeating this year. I would like to note that- we from GEFONT give much priority to yours initiatives!
Comrades, we are closely watching an interesting development taking place in world economic regime. Four large economies of the world initiated to consolidate them beyond the existing rhetoric practice. In 2009 BRIC was founded reaching in a consensus on promoting the reform of global financial institution, which by 2010 converted into BRICS. It is expected that China would be the largest economy of the world by 2018; where remaining BRICS members are also equally progressing. Following the establishment of BRICS Development Bank and BRICS Business council; we saw your effort to set up of BRICS trade unions. As a unionist, it is further noticeable phenomenon for me.
Formation of BRICS and its financial institutions has encouraged me to compare with Washington Consensus and Bretton Woods system. It further encourages me to make a point- do we consider BRICS as the process to answer Bretton Woods’s world? If it is the case, let me put another point as food for thought- “How does it bring down the inequality which we are confronting on? How does it value the dignity of working people? How does it balance between Capital and the Labour?”
China is Northern neighbour of our country and Nepal lies in western south of your country. We are a small, almost 65 times smaller than entire China.
However, we have travelled many ups and down for the betterment of working class. Even in our life time, my generation of unionists have participated in three larger popular movements. In 1979 our movement did little change, but in 1990; it brought absolute monarchy into the limit of constitutional frame. The inequality and political instability instigated another cycle of upheaval; the 2006 April uprising addressed it by abolishing century long Shah Dynasty. Nepal now became Federal Democratic Republic!
We in Nepal, now days, are discussing on Transformation of our socio-political landscape. We are aiming to conclude ongoing political transition by promulgating new Statute. Contrast with the European or Chinese model of revolution; we have chosen our own path for radical change. Our change is the outcome of collaborative efforts of two competing Classes – the class of the Haves and that of the Have-nots! It brought about a historical political change, but is yet to trigger a socio-economic and cultural transformation. The movement concluded with the establishment of rights, but is yet to create an environment in which the rights can be realised. Most important, the hegemony of the anti-working class is yet to end.
Thus, we have drawn a conclusion that the transformation of our society could be attained by Building Workers’ Power.
Again BRICS Union set-up, I saw long list of your engagement; almost four times in a year! Shall we consider it as the New tool for South-South Cooperation?
Compare to various trade union blocks- TUAC of OECD to pan-European’s ETUC; sometimes Common Wealth Nation’s union groupings to Platform of NIC country the entire Africa’s and Americas union groups, we are keen to learn in what way the BRICS unions would contribute to the global trade union movement?
Comrades, maybe it would be bit early to tag a question as such; however I feel this is pertinent.
Large economy may have their say here and there; isn’t it a time to assure smaller but associated economies peripheral to the larger economies such as China and India? At least, is there any scope of engagement with BRICS union from our end?
In South Asia we are clubbing inside SARTUC, inviting all who wish to be its part. And I believe, Reform, Development and Dream- it can be Strengthen through South-to-South cooperation!
I thank you for your cordial invitation to us! Let me thank co-organising partners of this august Forum – the WFTU, OATUU and ICATU and trade union organisations of the developing world covering various continents.
Always in solidarity,
Thank you.
Bishnu Rimal
President, GEFONT-NEC
(Text of speech delivered in the panel South-South Cooperation at ACFTU organised Intentional Forum on Economic Globalisation and Trade Unions; 25 September 2014- Beijing, China)