Unions: the CGTB denounces attacks on individual freedoms

2024-03-25 15:46:17

…and collective

During a vows presentation ceremony

According to Nicolas Ouédraogo, Deputy Confederal Secretary General, trade union organizations are a counter-power and not against power

The General Confederation of Workers of Burkina Faso (CGT-BF) has grievances against the transition which, according to it, undermines individual and collective freedoms. She made this known on the evening of Saturday March 23, 2024 during the traditional ceremony of presentation of wishes which took place at the Labor Exchange.

It is now a tradition among trade unionists. At the dawn of each year, they meet in their lair, the Labor Exchange, to present their wishes and review national, sub-regional and international news. The ceremony was delayed this year given the national political and security situation.

The activists of the 12 trade union organizations noted, on the international level, the worsening of the structural and deep crisis of the imperialist capitalist system which affects the imperialist countries as well as the dependent States. “The expression of one of these contradictions is undoubtedly the development of war in several theaters around the world, including that underway in Ukraine and the Middle East. The latter sees the Israeli state massacre Palestinian populations…” noted Nicolas Ouédraogo, Deputy Confederal Secretary General, representing the spokesperson for the CGTB.

As far as Africa is concerned, the “Reds” notice a strengthening of imperialist domination of the continent, now the scene of inter-imperialist rivalries for the plunder of important and diverse resources. “To do this, terrorism is developed as a means and strategy for continuing the domination of peoples,” said the representative of the CGTB spokesperson. For trade unionists, the current regimes of the member countries of the AES (Alliance of Sahel States) are maneuvering for the benefit of other imperialist powers. “West Africa, the Sahel in particular, is more than ever a field of confrontation between imperialist powers,” he added.

“We are a counter-power but not against power”

Unions denounced attacks on individual and collective freedoms

The national situation is marked by the security crisis which has forced the authorities to restrict individual and collective freedoms. Protesting against meetings of supporters of the regime while the activities of political parties and CSOs are prohibited, the Deputy Confederal Secretary General also denounced the forced disappearances and kidnappings of those who make speeches against the power in place. It is also this context which explains the absence of the Secretary General of the CGTB currently in hiding after “the attempted kidnapping” of which he was the subject from his home on January 29, 2024.

Accused by certain supporters of the transition of wanting to destabilize power, the unions are defending themselves. “We are a counter-power but we are not against power. Our objective is to defend the material and moral interests of activists as well as individual and collective freedoms,” Nicolas Ouédraogo insisted.

For greater effectiveness in the fight, the Deputy Confederal Secretary General called on officials and activists to animate and energize the structures, to hold general assemblies and other meetings to raise awareness and mobilize workers and to redouble their vigilance, to proof of more determination, spirit of sacrifice and solidarity to defend achievements and counter anti-worker and anti-democratic measures. “We must animate our structures and mobilize our activists in order to better defend the interests of workers,” concluded Nicolas Ouédraogo.

Issa Sawadogo (Collaborator)