Trade Unions speak out against racism

Vanguard May 2010 p. 9
Alice M.

Racism is one of the weapons in the arsenal of capitalism and imperialism to control, divide and intimidate the people. It is used to divert attention from class exploitation and oppression as the real source of people’s main problems and difficulties.

In Australia, racism has been regularly used by the ruling class against the Aboriginal people and against every new wave of immigrants from the beginning of British colonisation.

On Friday 9th May, over 500 people gathered on the steps of Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station to stop a racist, anti-migrant, anti-Muslim rally called by a tiny handful of misguided misfits. The presence of a large number of supporters for migrants, refugees and the Muslim community kept the racists away, and scuttled their plans to march through the streets of the city.

Speakers at the anti-racism rally included an Anglican Bishop, a Jewish Rabbi, unionists, artists, comedian Rod Quantock and other comedians performing at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, plus representatives from refugees support groups.

Brian Boyd, Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary received a rousing reception when he declared the union movement condemned racism and the use of the Eureka flag by racists. He said in part: “The message from the Victorian Trade Union movement is straight forward. We oppose racism. We oppose fascism. Unions have many immigrants and refugees as members. Unions have suffered at the hands of ultra right-wing forces over the decades in many countries. Countless people linked to unions have been victimised and killed by such groups. So it is important to stand up and protest when they try to cause confusion and conflict in the wider community. The claim by ultra-right wing groups over the Eureka flag is also a specific issue the union movement rejects. This flag belongs to the Australian people, with a number of unions identifying with it because it stands for rebelling against tyranny and for a fair go for all. The racists have no right to mis-use this important national symbol as it actually represents the opposite to what they stand for”.

That racism and neo-nazism is raising its ugly head again in the developed capitalist world is no coincidence. The so-called anti-terrorism laws and campaign against Muslim people fuels fear and distrust. It enables the ruling class to tear down democratic rights and give itself unrestricted powers to suppress the people. The capitalist class is hiding behind and manipulating the extreme-right wing disaffected elements for their own ends.

In Australia both main parliamentary parties fuel the hysteria of “border protection”, “illegal” refugees, over-population and the constant rhetoric of anti-terrorism laws. It should not be forgotten that Pauline Hanson’s tilt for a Senate seat in the 1996 Federal elections was bankrolled by giant mining corporations to the tune of $5 million. The main target of that move was the grab for Aboriginal lands rich in minerals. The union movement and the whole of the working class always deal blows against racism through unity in workers’ struggles.