The Migration, understood here, as "the movement of people from one place to another to settle in a new place[1]," is a natural phenomenon that has existed since the beginning of time. Nevertheless, the dramatic increase in the number of asylum seekers that the world is experiencing today underscores the catastrophic living conditions of our time. Indeed, "migrants often flee situations of oppression, abuse, insecurity, discrimination, and lack of development prospects”[2].
On International Migrants Day, the member movements of the WMCW reflect on the situation of migrant workers. For this year 2024, our reflections and actions proposed by the LOAC Maurice movement focus on the living and working conditions of migrants on the island.
A group of migrant workers takes part in the May 1, 2024 demonstration in the streets of Paris
Republic of Mauritius is a settlement country with its diverse population from Europe, Africa, Madagascar, Asia and China. Mauritians carry with them a history of colonialism, slavery and indentured servitude[3]. The country was built on migration and this phenomenon continues to this day, in various forms...
It is challenging to determine the exact number of migrants in Mauritius! This is because temporary or long-term settlement in the country is managed by different entities without any real coordination: the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Education, the Board of Investment, the Prime Minister's Office and more. Furthermore, when it comes to this migratory phenomenon, the common language speaks volumes: "expatriates" for those from developed countries and "migrants" for those from Third World countries...
The promotion of social justice and an economy for life to which our movement is committed for the next 4 years is only possible if every man and woman has access to decent work, i.e. a job, appropriate remuneration (in cash or in kind), safety at work and healthy working conditions. Unfortunately, trends in the current global political situation seem intent on wiping out the few gains and small steps made so far in terms of personal rights and freedoms. The spectacular rise to power of extreme right-wing parties poses an unprecedented threat to the values of democracy, the rule of law, equality and fairness.
On the celebration of the World Day for Decent Work on October 7, 2024, we join the movements of Europe in their declaration against the rise to power of extreme right-wing parties and their effects on the enjoyment of personal rights and decent work.
From July 12 to 16, 2024, members of the MMTC International Council met in Murcia, Spain, for their annual meeting. Apart from Co-Chairman Tarcisio Njue Kithinji, who was unable to obtain a visa to travel to Spain, all other members were present. As usual, the Council was preceded by the preparatory meeting of the Bureau.
The opening session was attended and addressed by a number of personalities, including the representative of the local union working for health and safety at work, and HOAC's senior executives at both national and local level.
In their work, the councilors addressed a number of points, notably the life of the movements in the regions, the programming of activities, the finances at the service of projects, regional seminars, spiritual accompaniment, not forgetting the evaluation of the progress of activities in the past period.
Photos of the highlights of the meeting are attached.
Photo 1: Bureau members in Murcia
The 112th ILO Conference is being held in Geneva from 3 to 14 June 2024. The tripartite discussions bring together representatives of governments, employers‘ unions and workers’ unions. NGOs also take part, without voting rights and as observers. 3 topics are proposed this year - fundamental principles and rights at work - biological hazards - decent work and the care economy. The WMCW, represented by Christine Isturiz, has chosen to follow the latter theme. The care economy accounts for 11% of global GDP and 381 million jobs worldwide, 3/4 of this unpaid work being done by women. Women are also very present in paid employment. Achieving gender equality is therefore a major challenge. The IYCW and CIJOC are also present.
Acción pública en Francia realizada por el Colectivo "Ethique sur l'étiquette" #soldées
Humanity is living through its most dramatic moment since the industrial revolution of the 18th century, and life on the planet has never been so threatened.
The consumerism implemented by the capitalist mode of production, the accelerated destruction of our common home, Mother Earth, the concentration of wealth in the hands of 1% of the world's families, the advance of imperialism and its war industry, the investment of trillions of dollars to develop their domains and appropriate the natural resources of the peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America are affecting our lives.
Alongside all this, the control of billions of people by algorithms, pushing them to live and believe in a parallel universe, where fake news becomes "truth", creating fertile ground for fascism. Just look at what has happened in Bolsonaro's Brazil, in today's Argentina, in Ecuador, El Salvador, Hungary and in the advance of the far right in civilized Europe.
In this frightening scenario, the serious leaders of the working class - who represent by far the majority of the world's exploited population - are looking for ways out, because they understand that this is a decisive moment in history.
From 26 March to 31 March 2024, the Bureau met in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. In the margins of the meeting, the Bureau met with the MTC chaplain of the Archdiocese of Kigali and representatives of MTC-Rwanda. At the end of the meeting, the Bureau paid a 2-day visit to the Uganda Movement (CWM-UGANDA), a country bordering Rwanda. Below are photos of some of these activities.
Photo 1: Les membres du Bureau en compagnie des représentants du Comité national du MTC - Rwanda
- Message of WMCW for the International Women's Day - 2024
- Christmas Message by the World Movement of Christian Workers
- WMCW Message for the International Migrants' Day - 2023
- WORLD DAY FOR DECENT WORK - 7 OCTOBER 2023 LABOUR SITUATION AND THE NICARAGUAN
- Final Declaration of the Lourdes General Assembly of WMCW - Lourdes 2023
- WMCW MESSAGE ON 1st MAY 2023 : "REMEMBERING - REFLECTING- CONTINUING THE STRUGGLE"
- March 8th: International Day of Women's Rights
- 18th DECEMBER 2022: MIGRANTS’ DAY MESSAGE
- World Day for Decent Work: Decent Work, a Core Commitment for Peace and Social Justice
- May 1st: Covid19 Lockdown And Its Impact On Workers
- WMCW Message For Womens' Day: "The Challenge Of Going On Caring The Threads Of Life"
- WMCW Message for the Year 2021
- MIGRANTS’ DAY MESSAGE – 18th DECEMBER: "LET’S BUILD BRIDGES, NOT WALLS!
- MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON THE OCCASION OF THE FOURTH WORLD MEETING OF POPULAR MOVEMENTS
- Prayer for the World Day of Decent Work
- 7th October, 2021: World Day for Decent Work Message
- IV World Meeting of Popular Movements
- Our comrade Juan Churats passed away
- May First, 2021: WMCW International Statement
- March 8th, 2021: “ Women Leaders for a Future of Equality and Fullness of Life in the Context of the COVID19 Pandemic"