Info from the CPRF: First All-Russia Congress of labor collectives' representatives

Communist Party of the Russian Federation
February 9, 2010

http://www.kprf.ru , mailto:zabirov@duma.gov.ru

The delegates of the First All-Russia Congress of labor collectives' representatives say about its outcome

The closure of mines is among the critical problems in Rostov region. In the Soviet period there were 89 mines on operation, today only five of them are still working. There is tense social climate in the mining region. Miners demand to nationalize the coal industry.

The miners' delegate at the Congress Valery Kravtsov during the meeting with his team said in particular: "The Congress has inspired me to work actively with my colleagues, like myself, fired out due to the liquidation of mines in Rostov region. We all need to be more persistent in our demands for the nationalization of the coal industry".

Another delegate Yuri Sokolov noted: "The Congress has shown a bright slice of public opinion on the looming discontent in all parts of our country, within all labor groups. From this we can conclude that all workers are unhappy with the course, which is currently being conducted by employers and the leadership of the state. The efforts during the election campaigns won't be enough to change the situation and working conditions in factories. To improve the situation we should unite all healthy forces of society, party, workable independent trade unions, other social movements.

Their friend Peter Efremov is pleased to find out that all people of Russia are rising to the fight. However, he feels the bitterness of the fact that this rise has been so long delayed, a lot has been destroyed and now this process is virtually irreversible.

In Novosibirsk the chairman of an enterprise's trade union Alexander Simakov made a report on his participation in the Congress: "The practical benefit of this unique, first of its kind event lies in the fact that the Congress provided us with the opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas, and identify common problems of ordinary citizens, workers. After all, no wonder one of the main theses of the resolution adopted at the Congress was the demand of Putin's government resignation".

Similar meetings are being held throughout the country, in all labor collectives, whose representatives attended the Congress.