Sharan Burrow 's ITUC fund scam ! ITUC takes 18 lacs from us , says Vice President

The Indian economy reportedly suffered a loss of Rs 25,000 crores due to the September 2 nation-wide strike by central trade unions in protest against labour reforms proposed by the Narendra Modi-led NDA regime, and impacted most essential services.

Normal life was affected in many states as millions of industrial and blue collar employees struck work in the first nation-wide protest since Prime Minister Modi took power more than a year ago.

Ten unions, armed with a 12-point charter of demands, also questioned the government’s decision to exclude factories, with up to 40 workers, from the ambit of labour laws.

 Sharan Burrow, the general secretary of the Brussels-based International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the world’s largest trade union body, reportedly questioned the Indian Government’s intentions in working to improve labour standards.

G. Sanjeeva Reddy, vice president of ITUC and president of INTUC, and a former member of parliament, however, also expressed his dissatisfaction with the high membership fees, amounting to lakhs of rupees, being paid to the ITUC.

He said, “I make large contributions to ITUC Brussels and ITUC Singapore, but these funds are never used for our own progress, but used by the ITUC for its own purposes. INTUC pays 18 lacs annually to ITUC, which is a huge amount by any standards. Honestly speaking, I have my grievances with ITUC. Our workers should get partnership in profits. After all, ITUC is living on our contributions. How much power have they got, what can they do?”

Questions have also been raised about ITUC often shifting its focus from its prime responsibility of exhibiting solidarity with workforces around the world, and instead, condemning systems of governance in entirety.

Reddy said, “I do not want international people to come and interfere with my work, because only solidarity doesn’t help. I have got my own organisation with three crores 30 lakh workforce, my own funds. I will not accept slavery for money or promise to help in our own cause.”

“Our workers are living in far flung villages, and we have Rs.20 crore fund in fixed deposit. We are not asking for any dole from anyone,” Reddy added.

He further said, “It’s my personal opinion that they cater more to workers in western countries. I have expressed this unreservedly in my meetings. I am telling in my organisation this also. They are more concerned about the problems of the developed nations, the highly-paid workers. They should take care of the interests of Asia and Africa, and other poor countries”.

“What is the point in being affiliated to ITUC? What is the purpose? We are affiliated only to identify ourselves with the international labour movement, that’s all. It is only psychological; it doesn’t make any real difference to us.”

Virjesh Upadhyay, general secretary of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, also voiced his objection on the ITUC’s meddling nature.

“ITUC, being the largest confederated body of the trade unions of the world, is facing credibility issues. They are losing their relevance. They are not doing what they are supposed to do. Like some NGOs in India have been banned for hurting the economy, we are demanding that ITUC also be banned because they are not serving Indian concerns. They are carrying out agendas of other countries and organisations.”

As already informed by ngowatchdog.org , Misutilisation of funds has been the central theme in every criticism of ITUC. They have also been allegedly accused of hiring the services of Essential Media Communications (EMC), an Australian firm, to give boost to their various campaigns, especially against Gulf countries, on social media.

It is being reported that they have allegedly also paid thousands of dollars to other agencies to exercise similar mandates.

ITUC reportedly gets its annual funds from its affiliates in 162 countries, which amounts to millions of dollars. It is, therefore, puzzling to comprehend why a self-sufficient organisation like the INTUC needs to reach out to a global body like ITUC only for moral support.

Moroccan Authorities Postpone ITUC Planned Mission to Occupied Territories of Western Sahara

The Moroccan authorities has decided to postpone the mission of International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to the occupied territories of Western Sahara which was planned for the next week.

However, ITUC which was planning to go Morocco has been trying to invade the country with its unnecessary and void campaigns against labor exploitation. Moreover the organization now has started showing more and more interests in human rights issues more than the labor crisis worldwide

ITUC Deputy General Secretary, Jaap Wienen, confirmed in a statement that the reason behind the decision that the Sahrawi community in the occupied territories “would use the opportunity of our mission to organise big mobilisations on the roads of Laayoune , which especially in a period of elections would lead to confrontations”.

Moreover, Mr. Wienen confirmed “we received a signal that most probably the members of our delegation would be refused to enter Morocco at their arrival at the airport”.

The statement indicated that “apparently the authorities managed to create an atmosphere of fear among our affiliates, which made them decide to demand to postpone the mission.”

The federation regretted the blockade of the mission and insisted that the mission would take place as planned, as the program was developed together with the Moroccan affiliates, and all reservations were definitively made.

Money minded ITUC declares ‘outrage’ at Israel settlements , what can be reason of this late concern Sharan ?

The ITUC has condemned Israel’s intention to build yet another 1,000 settlement dwellings in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said,

“Binyamin Netanyahu’s government is treating the international community with total contempt, and trampling further on the rights and livelihoods of Palestinians with this provocative and illegal move. Governments around the world should respond by giving formal recognition to the State of Palestine, and acting to stop any form of international involvement in building and sustaining these illegal settlements.”

The adoption by the Irish Senate last week of a Resolution to recognise the State of Palestine follows the announcement by Sweden’s government that it plans to formally recognise Palestine, and a recognition motion passed overwhelmingly by the UK Parliament earlier this month.

“Well over 100 countries have now formally recognized the Palestinian State, with parliaments in many others also passing symbolic motions. Symbolic recognition needs to be turned into action, so that the long-promised two-state solution for Israel and Palestine can become a reality. There is every reason for Palestinians to have international recognition, and no good reason for yet further delay. The status quo is a threat to peace and stability in the region and a denial of human rights for the Palestinian people,” said Burrow.

“The international community needs to step up to the task of helping rebuild the Gaza Strip, and the political stagnation which is stopping progress needs to be turned into real action by the global community to break the impasse,” said Burrow.

However, everybody related to human rights issues knows the money minded intentions of ITUC.

Since, a long time reportedly, the higher authorities of ITUC have been enjoying super luxurious lifestyle, and now the sudden shed of crocodile tears at the Israel-Gaza Issue seems objectionable. One may not be able to see even a single full-proof plan of saving the victims of Gaza crisis situation by ITUC.

ITUC , organisation has always been seen coming in action after all the aftermath of a big human or labour right crisis has already faded away. Clearly, ITUC knows how to turn the eyeballs of media persons towards them. Thus the recent concern by ITUC seems quite dramatic !