17.05.2000

Solidarity with Kosova miners

In an age of globalised capital the trade unionist that believes they can live in the isolation of one country is living a delusion. International solidarity is an absolute necessity.

The Independent Trade Union of Miners of Kosova is a group of workers that has called for solidarity, and their appeal is due to be debated at the Public and Commercial Services Union conference. Shamefully the organisation Left Unity, dominated by the Socialist Party, is calling for solidarity to be opposed.

When trade unionists, especially socialists, cannot even extend support to workers in struggle, they have forgotten the ability to say anything meaningful about human freedom. The Balkan wars have been a defining moment in showing that there is something missing in today's labour movement, given the way so many activists who opposed the bombing of Serbia could simply abandon the oppressed Kosova Albanians and give back-handed support to Milosevic. We are seeing just how deeply this crisis runs, with such reactionary positions being adopted by people who call themselves a 'left' alternative within PCSU.

Left Unity reveals their own lack of internationalism by complaining, "It is more important that the union discuss the national minimum wage, employment law" and other 'British' matters "than Palestine and Kosova". In fact out of a four-day conference an hour and a half is allocated to the rest of the planet, yet these 'internationalists' want it cut even more. Flowing from this chauvinism, their justification of opposing support for the Kosova miners is camouflaged in leftist rhetoric.

"Any motion on the Balkans which fails to condemn the Nato bombing is flawed. It takes a one-sided, nationalist view of a complex issue, where the union should recognise the interests of Serbian workers. If reached it should be opposed."

Unlike Left Unity, the Serbian independent trade union, UGS Nezavisnost, do not make condemnation of the Nato bombing a precondition for supporting the miners. Seeing the bombing as the central issue, Left Unity do not ask themselves what the Kosovars think. In a week, half of Kosova's two million population were uprooted and thousands killed. At this time for the Kosovars the difference between Nato and Milosevic was between a Nato 'protectorate' or being killed or evicted from their homeland. It was life or death. The idea that the bombing should be seen as the greatest crime, the only issue, and not ethnic cleansing of a million people, is disgusting. Socialists should not endorse Nato, but they cannot ignore the voice of a subjugated people. They should not demand the Kosovars adopt a position that would enable their oppressor to slaughter them - before we can support their just struggle.

What about the "one-sided nationalist view"? Kosova is 92% Albanian. As a Serb colony they were brutally oppressed. From 1974 to 1989 Kosova had autonomy - Milosevic abolished it. A virtual apartheid regime institutionalised discrimination: 125,000 (nearly all) Albanian public sector workers were sacked. Their schools were closed, health facilities denied to them. In a referendum on independence in 1991 87% of the population participated and 99% backed independence. Milosevic's response was further repression. What is really too "complex" for Left Unity is telling the difference between the oppressor and the oppressed, and which side to take.

The miners demand the expulsion of paramilitary groups from Mitrovice city. These forces engaged in ethnic cleansing, murdered trade unionists and are a barrier to a multi-ethnic society. Their role is recognised by Serb trade unionists such as Radoslav Pavlovic who have condemned KFOR, for it "allows an ultra-minority in Mitrovice, held together by Belgrade, to hold all Serbs hostage to a catastrophic nationalist policy".

Not only did the regime steal £25,000 of the union's relief fund and murder 33 union activists, but hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people were taken to prisons by retreating Serbian troops. UGS Nezavisnost launched an appeal for an amnesty. Yet Left Unity are opposing a motion calling for the release of prisoners.

Xhafer Nuli, president of the miners' union, in an Appeal for international solidarity says: "We were hopeful that after the war, with the end of the violence organised by Milosevic, we would be able to retake control of our mines and factories, which are our property, and resume work. Unfortunately the international community does not recognise our rights and is treating us as tenants in our own property. Despite our protests we remain locked out. So we want to step up our protests and for this we need international support and solidarity."

Left Unity say: "The union should recognise the interests of Serbian workers." There are two voices raised amongst Serb workers - that of the racist nationalists and that of trade union solidarity. As Left Unity is opposing solidarity they must look in the mirror and let us know if they see the face of Milosevic.

Motion to the PCSU biennial delegate conference 2000

This conference salutes the heroic struggle of the people of Kosova for greater freedom and independence, in particular the leading role played by the trade union movement. This was a fact recognised by the Serbian regime that deliberately targeted trade union representatives and their families for murder during their genocidal campaign of 'ethnic cleansing'.

Conference welcomes the refoundation of the trade union movement in Kosova, which has survived the attempts to destroy it.

Conference is disappointed that after suffering so much hardship the people of Kosova have still not achieved the freedoms that they fought for. In particular the miners of Mitrovice have been unable to return to work after being sacked over 10 years ago by Milosevic. Despite repeated calls by the Independent Miners Union for an end to this lockout KFOR has refused to allow them to return to work. Additionally the Albanians in Mitrovice have suffered from renewed attacks by Serbian paramilitaries who have divided the city against the will of the people for a multi-ethnic society.

Conference congratulates the resolve of the Independent Miners Union in keeping their struggle alive and extends solidarity greetings to those on hunger strike in Mitrovice.

Conference agrees to:

1. Donate £500 to the miners' union via their solidarity fund with the Durham NUM.
2. Support the miners' demand for the expulsion of paramilitaries from Mitrovice.
3. Call for the release of all Albanian prisoners held hostage in Serbian jails.
4. Support all efforts for the reinstatement of the Kosova miners and reopening of the mines.