Let’s march in solidarity with migrant workers

Migration to seek work and a better life in the 21 century is a fundamental challenge to our society today. The poor of the world flee famine, oppression, and the threat of death, expulsion, the destruction of the environment. Migrant workers end up in undignified working conditions, denied basic rights at work. They are victims of human trafficking and often forced into prostitution and returned home without any legal protection.

Whilst we salute them on this auspicious day (international workers day), the fact remains that repression is a reality for many workers. Inequality in the case of wages, working conditions and security has changed little for migrant workers in more than a hundred years.

In many countries migrant workers are forced to work at least 16 hours per day when local workers work only 8 hours per day. Migrant workers suffer hunger and persecution on a daily basis. Local agents and politicians due to the lack of suitable labour laws for protecting their rights frequently exploit them.

Economic globalisation, based on neo-liberal policies has negative consequences, which lead to impoverishment and in turn migration. The unjust trade policy of the World Bank, WTO and the IMF destroys in many places economic structures and prevents sustainable development. The governments of the G8 countries only produce symbolic policies, but do not create real solutions. They divide workers into documented and undocumented workers, who are frequently labelled ‘illegal’.

Migrants are, according to our Christian faith, our sisters and our brothers. To welcome the migrant, it is to welcome God among us. In the Church there is no stranger. The Gospel of love of neighbour at home and abroad (MT 22,34-40) requires clear actions of solidarity with the stranger. God requires the dignity of human being.
We have an indispensible calling to join in the struggle and lives of workers everywhere; through our actions with and for workers we see rays of hope in our movements in all continents

"The World Movement of Christian Workers is convinced that the issue of migrant workers has become a global challenge. On the eve of international workers day The WMCW salutes the global workforce and urges solidarity with all workers of all nations with or without official documents.

We want to march towards a global society, which is based on human dignity as it is laid down in the Declaration of the human Rights of the United Nations. It is a requirement for us, here and today, to work for a future. We believe in building alliances and networks with other worker organisations on a global level that are fighting for justice for migrant workers. It is necessary to lobby governments to introduce labour laws that protect the rights of migrant."

Executive Council of the WMCW