The financial and economic crisis results from the process of the globalized capitalism marked by the primacy given to research of immediate profits, the reign of globalized finance and the commodification of all things. The consequences of this crisis become clearer day by day: the weakest are the most strongly affected. Millions of people throughout the world are already confronted with the loss of their employment and their housing. Poverty, precariousness, climate food and energy crisis and permanent war are increased considerably.
Various “rescue” plans have consisted in using public money to refund the deficits of private banks and support big firms, although such amounts have been refused to match social needs. These plans consist in “socializing” the losses without addressing the system, basically workers and people, and policies speeding up reforms of social dismantling. On the contrary it is necessary to rebuild solidarity, social rights and collective guarantees. More than ever, it is essential to develop public services, right to education, health, housing, electricity, water and transport…
We refuse to pay for a crisis we are not responsible for
Mobilizations have already developed in several countries (UE and no UE members: Italy, France, Germany, Turkey, Ukraine…) and several sectors to address the effects of the crisis; it is urgent to coordinate the ongoing initiatives and struggles to build a joint movement at the European level. A few key dates offering a European and country dimension are already set: in December 6th in Paris (Collective for Another Europe), on climate crisis in Poznan, on 12th December general strike in Italy, on 16th December in Strasbourg against the working time directive of the European Commission, and in March in Brussels for a social conference/counter-summit. In July Europe will host in Italy G-8 summit.
We, the Social Movements Assembly gathered at the EPA-ESF in Istanbul call to develop initiatives and mobilizations to challenge the decisions and attacks taken, day by day, in name of the crisis, to say “No, We will Not Pay for your Crisis”.
Therefore we call the WSF in Belem to be the occasion launching a common Global Day of Action facing global crisis.