Austerity: an academic word for human suffering

Vanguard October 2012 p. 11
Bill F.

(Above, mass protest against austerity measures in Thessalonika)

The governments of modern imperialism are all promoting the concept of ‘austerity’ as a solution to the global capitalist economic crisis. Just what this ‘austerity’ really means for working people can be seen in the experience of Greece.

Since the June election of the shameless coalition (New Democracy-PASOK-Democratic Left) the European imperialists, led by Germany, have spelled out even more demands on this feeble government to exploit and suppress the Greek people.

(Above, Greek municipal workers protesting austerity measures) 

Among other measures, the ‘troika’ of the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund has demanded “… increase flexibility of work schedules: increase the number of maximum workdays to six days per week for all sectors… Set the minimum daily rest to 11 hours; delink the working hours of employees from the opening hours of the establishment; eliminate restrictions on minimum/maximum time between morning and afternoon shifts; allow the consecutive two-week leave to be taken any time during the year in seasonal sectors.”

In addition, they are demanding a six-day working week in return for a second bailout, and for the national labour inspectorate to be placed under European supervision to enforce their anti-worker policies. They also demand €3.5 billion cut to pensions, €1.47 billion cut to healthcare, with a token €517 million cut from defence.

(Above, Greek pensioners protest) 

Clearly, it is the working people who must carry the load. It really means human suffering for the majority – fewer jobs, starvation wages and impoverished retirement, lack of healthcare services, stunted education, and shattered dreams for the young.

There are no demands for the rich and powerful to open their wallets. No, it is the working people who are blamed for the problem – they’ve had it too good for too long, so say the imperial masters and their stooges! Yet it is the same greedy crew that caused the general capitalist economic crisis in the first place!

When the auditors from the IMF, EU and European Central Bank arrived in Greece recently, to assess progress in implementing their ‘austerity’ scheme prior to releasing further ‘bailout’ monies, they only stayed one hour; just enough to deliver their orders, not enough to hear the pain and suffering of the Greek people, and not enough to face their anger.

As the Greek crisis continues, so does the struggle against the dictates of imperialism, with many thousands marching in protest through Thessaloniki in early September.

Australians are getting our own taste of what to expect from the servants of imperialism, as state governments in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia are all singing the same austerity song.

For working people, the song is quite different: “Make the rich pay!”

(Above,Spanish  anti-austerity marchers take to the streets of Madrid)