IRSP Mayday Statement

international | summit mobilisations | press release

Tuesday April 27, 2004 22:43

by IRSP Inter. Dept. - Irish Republican Socialist Party

irsp at netwiz dot net

The International Department of the Irish Republican Socialist Party issued a statement on the occasion of International Workers' Day, reiterating their position on the Irish presidency of the Euopean Union and in opposition to the anti-working class agenda of the European Super-state.

The International Department of the Irish Republican Socialist Party issued a statement on the occasion of International Workers' Day, reiterating their position on the Irish presidency of the Euopean Union and in opposition to the anti-working class agenda of the European Super-state.

The IRSP spokesperson emphasized the 'irony' of an Irish Euro-President ushering in the radical expansion of member states taking place on May Day 2004.

"The IRSP cannot overlook the irony of the fact that the expansion of the European Super-state which is bound to have serious negative repercussions for working people throughout Europe or that this expansion, which is likely to put the final nails in the coffin of the so called 'Celtic Tiger' is to be ushered in under an Irish Euro-President.

" As the nations of the former Comecon nations of Eastern Europe, along with Cypress and Malta, are brought into a newly expanded Europe, multi-national corporations from Europe and from abroad will once again relocate to wherever they are best able to exploit working people. Transfer their operations to wherever the cost of human labour power can most cheaply be had, thereby ensuring that wages everywhere are eroded and exploitation is increased. The brief mirage of Ireland's much talked about economic growth will then falter and be trampled under the stampede of capitalists in search of lower wages.

"We cannot and do not blame our working class sisters and brothers in the newly admitted nations of the EU. The imperialists have virtually starved them under the strain of severe austerity programmes imposed as the price of EU entry. Instead we extend our hand to them, as fellow working class people; as comrades. If we fail to unite--if we fail to hang together, as the old saying goes--we shall surely be hung separately.

"It is not having to pay fair, living wages that causes the problems of the capitalist system, it is the relentless pursuit of profits without concern for the quality of human life. Without the brains and muscle of working class people, not a single industry could operate--no wealth could be produced. It is the drive for profits in order to support the useless parasites of the capitalist ruling class that there is no need for. Those who amass their wealth through the exploitation of working people--who contribute nothing other their own self-agrandisement and their conspicuous consumption of luxuries, while millions endure crippling poverty--that the world can well do without.

Concluding the statement, the IRSP International Department spokesperson added, "The Irish Republican Socialist Party offer our profound solidarity with our class sisters and brothers throughout the world. As we reflect on this holiday celebrating the working people of the world, we are filled with admiration and pride for all that our class has created; the great advances that have been possible only because of our classes collective efforts. Moreover, we recognise how much greater might be our class's contribution to the advance of humanity, were it not for the greed, inhumanity, and tyranny of the capitalist class. In offering our solidarity, therefore, we clasp the hands of our working class sisters and brothers throughout the world, and remind them, as well as ourselves, that only through our collective efforts can we gain our liberation. Every victory they make, is an advance for us. Every triumph we gain, moves them forward as well. We have created all the wealth of the world we see arrayed around us. Let us reclaim it, as our own."