Say NO to Kraft
Student Action in support of the Kraft Workers in Argentina
13/09/2009
This morning the student movement organized a new act to show their support for the Kraft workers struggle against the 168 illegally fired workers. After joining the workers yesterday in the Pan American roadblock, this morning, the Center of Liberal Arts and Philosophy Students from the University of Buenos Aires called for another roadblock in the Capital city of Buenos Aires, with the participation of students from different faculties. The purpose of the roadblock, which was heavily covered by the media, including TV, radio and newspaper journalists, was to condemn the multinational company Kraft, owned by Warne Buffet, one of the richest men in the world. This multinational company exploits over 100 thousand workers throughout the world. In 2008 their total earnings amounted to 37 billion dollars, and most recently Kraft offered to buy Cadbury-Stani for 16 billion, the company that produces “Mantecol” in Argentina. These multinational companies don’t even respect the Argentina labor laws. Despite their immense earnings, Kraft-Terrabusi fired 300 contracted workers last December, while they continue to speed up production at the cost of the workers’ health. This is precisely what happened during the H1N1 flu pandemic: after one of the workers had been diagnosed with the flu, the workers demanded better sanitary conditions. The multinational company, with a clear anti-union attitude, then decided to use this as a justification to fire over 160 workers.
The Center of Liberal Arts and Philosophy holds the national and state governments responsible for any eviction of the workers from the factory. After the Kraft workers were repressed by the national police force, with the use of nightsticks and tear gas, the police force has since been inside the plant in order to maintain the threat of eviction.
The Center of Liberal Arts and Philosophy is calling out to all student, union youth and human rights organizations to step up their support for the Kraft workers and the struggle against this multinational company. We are holding a meeting today at 7pm in the Liberal Arts and Philosophy department. We need to step up our support for the workers, because the CGT and CTA (unions) aren’t doing anything for this important struggle.
The student movement won’t stand for the multinational company’s repression and exploitation of the workers. Every measure taken against the workers, by the company or the Buenos Aires Police, the same people who continue to deny any responsibility in the disappearance of Julio Lopez and Luciano Arruga, will be met with roadblocks and support for the workers actions.
Juan Oribe, Vicepresident of the Center of Liberal Arts and Philosophy-UBA. 15-5988-6305
News about the student’s action:
http://www.facebook.com/l/28235;www.clarin.com/diario/2009/09/11/um/m-01996782.htm
http://www.facebook.com/l/28235;www.ambito.com/noticia.asp?id=481774
