An introduction to the Latin America Conferences by Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC
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| Brendan Barber |
The TUC is proud to support the annual Latin America conferences and proud too of the close bonds that trade unionists in Britain have forged with their brothers and sisters in Latin America.
This annual coming together of British unions and solidarity campaigns provides a unique opportunity to celebrate and reflect together.
We celebrate the huge strides forward that are being made across the continent in the struggle for social justice, decent work and economic empowerment. And we reflect on the terrible injustices that are still occurring in parts of Latin America, and on what we can do to put right these wrongs.
Latin America represents a beacon of hope: a radical, progressive, socialist vision of the future. It is a welcome reminder that there is an alternative to neoliberalism, that globalisation can have a human face, that countries can succeed by putting people before profits.
And nowhere, of course, is that more the case than in Cuba. For five decades now, its defiance of American military might, its resilience in the face of blockade, and its commitment to the health, education and welfare of each and every one of its citizens has inspired us all.
Where Cuba has led, so many other countries in Latin America have followed – from the great social achievements of the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela to the struggle for indigenous rights in Bolivia.
And the progressive wind of change has also blown through the continent’s largest states. The experience of Brazil has shown that the best way to tackle the global economic crisis is through investing in public services, getting people into good jobs, and making growth the number one priority – lessons our government would do well do heed.
So across Latin America, there is certainly much for us to celebrate, but with so many countries moving in a progressive direction, we must never forget the realities facing people living in those countries that have somehow resisted this progressive tide.
Injustice, inequality and poverty continue to disfigure the lives of millions of people across Latin America, and it’s our moral duty to respond.
Take Guatemala, where 47 trade unionists have been killed since 2007 – and where those responsible have yet to be brought to justice. There and elsewhere, the forces of reaction, regression and repression remain all too powerful.
Nowhere, of course, are the challenges greater than in Colombia – by far the most dangerous country in the world to be a trade unionist. In the first six months of 2010 alone, 32 trade unionists were murdered. What is happening in Colombia is a reminder that our fight for justice goes on.
But as much of Latin America shows, it’s a battle that can be won. Because from Brazil to Bolivia, Venezuela to Cuba, a great force of progress is sweeping the continent.
Long may it continue to flourish.
