this will be the theme of the WMCW’s International Seminar and General Assembly to be held in July 2013 in Haltern Am See, Germany.

 

Four years after the Nantes meeting, this new gathering of our movements marks an important point in the evolution of the World Movement. It is an opportunity for all delegates to become open to different realities, different ways of thinking and different cultures. These differences are not an obstacle but a resource for dialogue, reflection, debate and sharing. The Seminar and General Assembly are exceptional places in which to exchange ideas and develop a joint project for all the WMCW. In addition, the structure will be renewed and new representatives elected there. It will also be a time for prayer, visits to groups of the KAB Germany, the creation of new friendships and colorful musical celebrations.

 

The results of the regional seminars held in 2011 and 2012 brought to light that the migration phenomenon affects all countries. Driven by poverty or the absence of democracy, men and women go in search of a better future. These migrations, for the most part from one southern country to another southern country, are an irreversible phenomenon.

 

During the 2013 International Seminar, the WMCW members will be asked to reflect on how to build a new, mixed society, in which different cultures will share their best aspects while abandoning their negative ones. While building this future society, the fight against a destructive economic and financial system must be continued and extended by unifying the different, varied struggles currently appearing.

 

Labor Day has been celebrated for 123 years as a sign of solidarity with all workers around the world.  Are we finally reaching a world centered on the human person rather than a world of work centered on capital and mechanization?

 

The 2004-2005 report from the International Labor Office (ILO) gives terrible statistics:  of the approximately two billion eight hundred and fifty million workers in the world 49% earn less than 2 Dollars a day and, of these, 39% less than one dollar!  Two hundred million men and women are unemployed! Today poverty has worsened throughout the world.  According to an OECD report 60% of men and women workers in the world do not have a proper contract and are exposed to job insecurity.

 

Last year many labor disputes occurred throughout the world.  In Asia, the Philippines, Taiwan and in Indonesia workers gathered to demand wage increases.  In Tunisia, Egypt and the Middle East they called for economic reforms and measurements for employment.  In New  York and in London, in the midst of an unprecedented financial crisis, they occupied the financial centers of Wall Street and the City to oppose the power of money.

 

The executive team of the LOC/MTC (Liga Operária Católica - Movimento de Trabalhadores Cristãos**) and the permanent commission of the HOAC (Hermandad Obrera de Acción Católica***) held their annual coordination meeting from 17th to 19th February in Burgos to share and to analyze together the life and efforts of the activists – male and female – of both movements and the current state of the working environment and the Church in both countries.

 

As a starting point, we affirmed the similarity of both countries with respect to:

 

• the high rate of existing unemployment, which has increased this last year and the worrying prospect that this increase will continue steadily.
• the latest labor reforms have not avoided job losses, but have further deteriorated working conditions and job instability and set back collective negotiation.
• indecent wages, often a pittance, are leading to the creation of a sector of poor workers, in spite of their jobs
• smear campaigns directed at the workers' organizations
• this situation has reduced the workers' purchasing power and has conditioned their lives, forcing them to renounce minimally decent standards of living.
• insecurity has increased, fear and uncertainty about the future have increased.
• thousands of qualified young people from both countries must leave their homes and families to find a future in other countries

 

 

The place of the women in the world- case of the women in Uganda

At the beginning of this year 2013, Ugandans, especially females, were excited when feminist and civil society activist Winnie Byanyima sprang to one important global helm. She was appointed the Executive Director of Oxfam International. Similarly, last year two other prolific Ugandan women rose in international stature. The East African Legislative Assembly hoisted Margaret Zziwa to its Speakership, making her the first woman and Ugandan to occupy that seat. The other is Margaret Mungherera, who was elected as President of World Medical Association (WMA).

 

In the Ugandan socio-political context, women have surpassed many limitations to get to the top. For instance, Rebecca Kadaga, Christine Ondoa and Maria Kiwanuka are at the helm of Parliament, the health and finance ministries, respectively. Women have also ascended to influential positions in corporate companies and in the civil society. To level further the socio-political turf for women, the Government has signed and ratified several international, regional and sub-regional instruments aimed at promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

 

Despite such judicious policies and gestures from the Government to uplift the socio-political stature of women, there are limitations to this progress – the journey ahead for women is perhaps much longer than what they have walked so far. Although some women have sailed through to the top, majority of women in Uganda are still wallowing at the lowest rungs of society.

 

In most corporate entities, most women are mid-level managers; no matter how hard they work they don’t succeed improving their professional status. Concerning motherhood, especially those in rural areas, women keep on being dismissed or discriminated when pregnant, despite various interventions from the Government.

 

Starting out from the priorities as defined by the last General Assembly of the WMCW, this year we want to make a brief reflection on the concrete situation lived today by migrants in Spain a country where the official statistics indicate that the 25% of the working population is without work. This rate has 52% amongst young workers. This situation has provoked the emigration of 100,000 people this year alone. In addition about 10,000young workers from the country leave for the centre of Europe, Latin America etc.

 

This critical situation critique is in the process of spreading. New social dramas are now reaching migrants as well as those who come from the country: evictions due to none payment of mortgages, loss of social rights, general impoverishment. This situation is creating new waves of migration.

 

STATEMENT OF MOVEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN WORKERS FROM PORTUGAL AND SPAIN TO THE EUROPEAN DAY OF STRIKES AND DEMONSTRATIONS ON 14 NOVEMBER

An International Seminar promoted by LOC/MTC was held in Sesimbra, at the Cinema-Theatre João Mota from the 7th to the 10th of June 2012, on the topic “The right to decent work for all”.

 

Members from several civic and ecclesial, national and international, organizations took part in this meeting, in a total of 60 participants. The Mayor of Sesimbra, the Bishop of Setúbal and representatives of EZA – European Centre for Workers Questions, also attended the event.

 

Several conclusions were drawn from this event, expressed as observations, convictions and challenges which are listed below.

 

Human labour is going through major changes. But such changes should not mean going back in civilizational terms. If decent and fairly paid work is presently recognised as an important human right, enshrined in national constitutions and in the European model, why is it that more and more of these same rights are being taken away and trampled over? Why is it that, after a decade of reviews to the labour laws, after the implementation of new labour codes, greater flexibilization, etc., why are we having more and more precarious jobs and unemployment? Work is losing its rightful position as the pillar of human fulfilment and social development; and employability is currently restricted only to the small portion of those who are capable and submissive enough to adapt themselves to flexibility and mobility. While millions are being excluded all over the world.

 

The World Movement of Christian Workers (WMCW) celebrates May 1st as one of the most important events for workers and reasserts its solidarity and communion with all men and women who are suffering from serious injustice at work.

Labour precariousness, widespread unemployment, exploitation and slavery affecting many workers are but a consequence of a market-driven approach imposed on labour by the neoliberal economic powers. Workers who are creating wealth through their labour and who should be benefitting from production as Pope John Paul II explained it in his Encyclical Laborem Exercem, are just valued by companies because of the financial profit they make for the company. In periods of recession and restructuring, workers are the first ones to lose their job without any compassion or respect for their rights and dignity.