The square in front of the monument where the rally took place was surrounded by metal barriers. People were allowed to go there only after being searched. This is a typical method of psychological pressure used in recent years to discourage people from joining the protest. Nevertheless, people gathered near the barricades, taking leaflets and listening to the speeches.
There was a large black banner which read "Freedom for people, not for prices!" and black and red flags. Speakers talked about the difficult social and economic situation and about the anti-social politics of the state and capitalism: low wages, not enough money for life, little social spending, still subject to more cuts, the law on state-owned institutions ФЗ-83, the commercialization and inaccessibility of education and medical services, the constant increase of food prices, transport costs, housing, the trampling of workers rights, the planned pension reform... They called for solidarity with workers, irrespective of their origin, place of residence or type of work relation, they discussed nationalism and racism as a way of dividing working people and distracting them from the struggle for their interests. The only way to deflect the offensive of the authorities and capital which has turned against us from all sides is to resist, just like they did just now in Bolivia, where workers when on an indefinite strike and forced the government to raise wages and reject some neoliberal reforms. The participants in the rally called for the formation of independent, fighting unions, strike committees, local associations and social initiatives which would prepare and carry out a general strike against the current social-economic policies.
During the rally, hundreds of leaflets and KRAS's paper, "Direct Action" were handed out. The protesters spoke with people, explaining the goals of the protest.
TEXT OF THE LEAFLET
HANDS OFF OUR SOCIAL RIGHTS! NO TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT!
While the Russian enterpeneurs and bosses of all stripes are stuffing their pockets, with the help of inflated prices on oil and gas, and the government generously gives them handouts and subsidies, an attack on our social rights is underway: the right to a decent life, to accessible education, health care, a roof over our heads, to work, to disability payments and retirement... They caused the current economic crisis and left us to pay for it. Now they declare that the crisis is over but they continue to cut money for social needs and to put more burden on our backs.
Salaries in Russia and among the lowest in Europe. Taking into account the „European” level of prices, our salaries barely can cover the cost of living. But at the same time, the country has one of the highest numbers of billionaires...
There are extremely low social payments. The aid which is given to pregnant women and women with children is being reduced. Unemployment benefits are laughable and humiliatingly low. The majority of benefits for those who are not wealthy have been liquidated or have been cut to the bare minimum under the pretext of „monetarization”.
The shameful law on public instiutions (ФЗ-83) is aimed at the complete commercialization of education and medical services. Only the minimal guaranteed services with remain free and available to all but there will become long lines for them. Don't count on education and medical care for your children. You will have to pay for practically everything, and the prices will be high. The law also allows schools, kindergartens, nursery schools and hospitals to cut costs by reducing staff, cutting down on heating and lighting.
Prices are constantly rising – on food, goods, services, transport, housing... The new government of Moscow accused the former Mayor of raising the prise of transport for no reason, but they kept all these increases. They also announced that residents should pay 100% market price for housing services, as if they hadn't already been inflated many times!
Like Damocle's sword, the threat of rising retirement ages hangs above us. The government is playing strange games, announcing that it is inevitable that the retirement age be raised, then saying that it won't happen. In whatever case, such plans exists and if we remain silent about it, nothing will stop them from giving us this „present”. Taking into account the low life expectancy in Russia, almost nobody will get their pensions.
Wage labourers are already denied almost all rights. Наемные работники и сегодня уже лишены почти всех прав. „Demoracy” ends at the door to the workplace. If that is not enough, the Russian Union of Entrepreneurs recommends lifting the limit on working hours, removing all barriers to fire people and to limit the already limited right to strike.
Entrepreneurs are using more and more contracted and subcontracted labour and are increasingly using indentured labour. In this way, more workers are denied even the most basic rights. Workers are fired for making even the slightest criticism or attempts to organize themselves.
Working migrants are left in a completely lawless situation. The Moscow authorities promise to „legalize” them – but in practice this has led to a new witchhunt and mass deportations of those who will be denied this legalization.
THE ATTACK AGAINST US IS COMING FROM ALL SIDES AND IN ALL AREAS. Life is becoming more difficult and unbearable each day. We cannot live this way any longer.
We we are going to stay quiet, nobody will hear us. If we act indifferent to the cutting of our social rights, nobody is going to take us seriously and the government will use our weakness to just tighten the yoke around our necks. Only by making a resolute protest, not only with words but in action, can we stop the government and capital.
We call on workers and the unemployed, on pensioneers and students to take to the streets and say „NO” to the social and economic policies of the government. Organize yourselves in non-bureaucratic and self-managed unions and strike committees, make demonstrations and strike, form social initiatives and consumer groups, ecological associations, students and parents associations, antiwar groups, etc. Prepare for the general strike, which is the main weapon of all the exploited in the struggle for their interests.
OUR IMMEDIATE DEMANDS:
- A six-hour work day and a five-day work week without a reduce in pay. Overtime payments are mandatory.
- Paid vacation for no less than one month and paid sick leave
- Payment of salaries no lower than the average rate in the industry and not less than once a month.
- Automatic raises proportional to inflation
- Freezing prices on basic foodstuffs and goods
- Granting all working migrants the right to live and work wherever they have found employment
- Guaranteeing sanitary and health norms in workers and student dormitories
- Free education and health care, public transport and housing
- Giving all temporary workers who want it permanent employment
Russian Section of the IWA
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