Sweden by Goran Karrman
MORE THAN 4.000 PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM unemployed trades union members, marched against the social democratic government and its austerity program in Stockholm on Thursday October 18th
Initiated by a unemployed transport worker, and mother of four, the protest gained nation-wide attention and support. Among the speakers at the demonstration were the chairman of the Transport workers union, Hans Wahlstrom, and Hans Karlsson from the LO union federation. Notable by his absence was LO chairman Bertil Jonsson, well-known for his steadfast support of the ruling Social Democratic Party.
Prime Minister Goran Person and Labour Minister Margaretha Winberg, have been touring Europe with their message of reassurance for diplomats and investors. The Swedish government will deliver severe cuts in indirect wages, without provoking unrest. Their message was even used by the German capital as a tool against unions and the SPD in the struggle against German workers' right to 100% of salary during periods of sickness.
The marchers in Stockholm showed another side of the coin, a growing sense of "enough is enough" among thousands of Swedish workers, employed or unemployed. Cuts in the country's once-famous welfare system have put Swedish workers in a situation not known for generations. Over 700,000 Swedes (14%) find themselves cut out of the normal job-market and the figure is rising. Meanwhile, severe cuts are being made in the unemployment benefit system, and the social security net, leaving tens of thousands of households on the brink of disaster!
No one could miss the anger and the frustration among the marchers on October 18th, and their open distrust of the ruling Social Democratic Party. *They listen to big business, and shove us aside," was one of many comments. "I'm a social democrat without a party," read one placard, capturing the sentiment of many participants.
Other placards and slogans showed the
Pete Cooper
The Labour leadership's reversal on the question of a referendum on the single European currency, and their virtual agreement with Tory Prime Minister John Major on the question is an indication of the depths of tension which exist in the British ruling class about this issue.
The Liberal Democrats are the only parliamentary party openly committed to going into the single currency on the first wave which will include Germany, the Benelux countries and France.
The disagreements between different sections of the British ruling class oppose those "Europhiles" who export to continental Europe, and those "Eurosceptic" capitalists and bankers who are primarily interested in overseas investment and currency speculation.
Denis Healey, one of the more intelligent leaders of the Labour right, recently let the cat out of the bag about a new worry haunting Europe's rulers and labour bureaucrats: the danger of riots in the streets in response to the implementation of the Maastricht convergence criteria (whereby every European member state has to cut its budget deficit to 3% of total output.) The resultant cuts in social spending have led to some of the biggest demonstrations and strikes since World War 2 in every major European country. While we haven't seen such a reaction in Britain yet, Healey realises that such movements can be contagious. Such a reaction from below could help roll back the years of defeat which workers have suffered at the hands of the Tories. Particularly in the context of a Labour victory in next year's general elections.
The other side has the strategic advantage. The EU and the governments of the member states have organised themselves to chop weltare across Europe, while mass reactions have been confined to the national level. Each national government can say, with some justice, that they have no alternative if all the others are complying, they don't want to be left on a limb if the other countries press ahead, and so on.
Well, the planned European marches against unemployment could be just the start of that European fightback. British Labour MEP Ken
Coates called for support for the marches at a
100,000 strong rally at the end of a march in
Southern Italy against unemployment and cutbacks in Naples, organised by the Refounded
Communists (PRC). PRC General Secretary
Benedotti has called for support for the marches, as has the German Green Party. In November the French organisations supporting the march organised a week of action, including sit ins and demonstrations.