INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AND MINES ORGNAISATION: SUCCESSFUL SECOND CONGRESS AT KOCHI
 

The Second Congress of  International Energy & Mines Organisation (IEMO) was held at Kochi on  November 15-17, 2002. The Congress appealed to the energy workers all over the world to form a single organisation by merging all international organisations of energy and mine workers, so that a powerful struggle can be organised in all the continents to fight globalisation, privatisation and liberalisation. The Congress was hosted by the CITU.

            The resolution adopted by the Congress condemned the worldwide attack on trade union rights and living conditions of workers. It expressed grave concern at the growing unemployment and loss of jobs as a result of the policies pursued by the governments of several countries as dictated by World Bank and IMF.

                                                             AGAINST IMPERIALISM

            The Congress denounced the hegemonic designs of US President George Bush, which reflected during its aggression in Afghanistan and by the threat to attack on Iraq, all in the name of war against terrorism, with a view to control the oil resources. It further condemned the criminal acts of Israel against the people of Palestine who are heroically fighting against the Israeli aggression. The Congress castigated US imperialism for its decades-long blockade of Cuba, which blatantly defied the UN resolutions. The Congress called the working class to fight against the imperialist machinations and support all the struggles against Imperialism.

            The resolution  moved by Arthur Scargill (UK), and seconded by A K Padmanabhan (India) was unanimously adopted.

             One hundred and fifty six delegates from 27 countries participated in the Congress including 70 delegates from abroad. From India representatives of AITUC, HMS and Engineers Associations joined the Congress.

            A broad based Reception  Committee was formed in Kochi with C M Dineshmony, Mayor of Kochi, as  chairman. His welcome speech was read out by M M Lawrence.

                                                             CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

             M K Pandhe, Vice Chairman, IEMO and General Secretary, CITU,  in  his opening speech appreciated the role played by IEMO in unifying the energy workers and gave a brief review of the united struggles conducted by Indian workers against globalisation and NDA Government’s  economic policies. He condemned the rise of communalism and stressed the need to fight against it.

             Arthur Scargill, co-President of IEMO, pointed out how within a short time the IEMO had developed into an organisation with 109 affiliates from 66 countries in the world. He welcomed the growing movements all over the world against US imperialist’s attempts to dominate the world. He condemned the policy of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and pointed out how working class in UK is fighting against his policies.

            Alain Simon, General Secretary, IEMO, presented a report of activities of IEMO since its first Congress held in Monlucon (France) in 1996. He affirmed the need for an integrated energy policy and demanded the right of all workers for basic human and TU rights. He expressed concern at the discrimination in the use of energy worldwide and appealed for solidarity of energy workers internationally.

                                                             LIVELY DISCUSSIONS

  Several speakers  explained their national experiences and endorsed the views expressed by General Secretary, IEMO. The Congress then discussed  six theme papers:

1. On Globalisation by Arthur Scargill (UK)
2. On Public Utilities and Structure of Enterprises by J Paul Escoffier (France)
3. On Problems of Developing Countries and North and South Dialogue by MK Pandhe (India)
4. On Rights of Wage Earners by Danialou Karimou (Benin)
5. On Struggle for Peace and International Solidarity by Houceni Kafouri (Morocco)
6. On Unity and International TU Movement by Francois Dutiel (France)

There was a lively discussion on all these reports and delegates could get a global picture of the situation prevailing in different countries in the world.

The deliberations  of the Congress were conducted in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic, with simultaneous translation.

      From Europe the delegates from Great Britain, France, Russia, Ukrain, Albania, Romania and Poland, participated, while from Africa, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Congo, Niger, Togo and Libya attended the Congress. From Asia, India, Nepal, Kuwait, Jordan and Quatar participated. Latin America was participated by Cuba and Haiti.

      Over 20 delegates, who had informed of their participation, could not attend due to their difficulty in obtaining visa from the Indian Embassies. Several countries expressed their inability due to their involvement in local struggles.

                                                       GROWING UNITY

       One of the most important features of the Congress was the participation of the representative of ICEM and ICFTU affiliateS.  Gino Govender, who represented the ICEM welcomed the appeal for unity of the international organisations in Energy and Mining industries and emphasised that it was the only answer to take on the challenges faced by the TU movement in the world today. He appealed for follow up action on these issues at a  global level, so that such unity can be achieved as early as possible. He mentioned that the IEMO has been  invited to attend the ICEM Congress being  held at Rome.

      The Congress was greeted by V R Krishna Iyer, an eminent jurist. He condemned globalistation and called upon the working class to defeat the policy of globalisation by joining  other sections  of  people in the world.

      J Paul Escoffier (France) presented financial report to the Congress and appealed for funds to strengthen the activities of the IEMO.

      The Congress elected the Executive Bureau of 17 members and the Executive Committee of 26 members.

                                                       EXHIBITION AND SEMINARS

       The Mayor of Kochi hosted a dinner to all the delegates on 17^th November. Two impressive cultural programmes were performed by renowned  artists from Kerala and Punjab on 15^th November.  An exhibition on `Power Scenario in India’ was also arranged on the eve of the Congress by the Reception Committee.

      On 14^th November, a National Seminar was organised by the Reception Committee on `Indian Energy Scenario in the 21^st Century – Problems and Prospects’ which was inaugurated by E Balanandan, President, CITU. It was addressed by N R Srivastava, V.B.R.K. Rao, both former Chairmen of Central Electricity Authority; J K Mehta, AGM (Corporate Planning), NTPC; R K Belapurkar, GM, BHEL; Thampan Thomas, HMS; N C Jha, General Manager (Quality Control), Coal India Ltd; K Ashok Rao of NCOA, Chakradev Pd Singh, AITUC; and M K Pandhe, CITU. Speakers in their speeches highlighted various aspects of power development in the country. Speakers explained the positive contribution made by public sector in the development of energy and need to strengthen it for accelerating its growth. They criticised the policy of privatisation which would lead to increase in the price of electricity in the country.