With slogans of the global working class and references to the struggle for workers’ rights across the world, the Workers’ Union of Northern Ilia – Western Achaia held on Sunday afternoon in Nea Manolada a large internationalist solidarity event for the thousands of migrant farm workers in the wider area.
Continuing all its previous actions, the union once again “brought together” Greek and migrant workers. It called for a common struggle over the problems prevailing in the strawberry fields of the “red gold,” as well as in other crops, so that immediate solutions can be given regarding living conditions, working conditions, and work with rights.
In the village square, where the union’s offices are also located, workers from various countries were once again present, such as from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Egypt, and others. They stood again alongside their Greek colleagues, showing that workers have nothing to divide them; they are united by the exploitation they experience daily and by the struggle for a life with dignity in line with modern needs.
The workers were united by the songs of their class, of their countries of origin, as well as Greek songs, with many recording videos on their mobile phones and sending them to their loved ones thousands of kilometers away.
“Workers of all countries, unite! – Long live International Workers’ Day! – Through struggles we claim our rights!” the banner of the PAME emphasized, written both in Greek and in the languages of the migrant farm workers, on the occasion of May Day, while announcements translated into their native languages were distributed at the site.
This was also the message once again sent loudly by Greek and migrant workers, holding together the banners of their union, as well as that of PAME and the flags of struggle.
These points were also referred to in his intervention by the president of the Food and Beverage Workers’ Union of Northern Ilia – Western Achaia, Panagiotis Zafeiropoulos, who spoke about the significance of May Day and the struggles of workers around the world, amid applause.
He also stressed that the only ones who lose from war and its expansion are the workers and the peoples. He explained that migrant workers are not alone; they have their union, and he called for a common struggle for their residence documents and for the presence of doctors to cover their healthcare needs. “All together, let us fight against the system of exploitation in a common struggle with our Greek colleagues,” he said, in a climate of workers’ solidarity.
Their solidarity was also expressed through the presence of delegations from the Federation of Agricultural Associations of Ilia, led by its president Thanasis Vompiris, as well as the Patras Labor Center, led by its president Dimitris Marmoutas, who also addressed the gathering as a member of the secretariat of PAME. Among other things, he called for struggle against war for the profits of business groups, stressing that peoples have nothing to divide among themselves.
Trade unionists from unions of Ilia and Achaia also gave a strong presence, while the event closed in an emotional atmosphere, with raised fists of Greek and migrant workers to the sound of The Internationale in Bengali. This was followed by mass registrations in the union.
