As Baghdad and other Iraqi towns are reduced to smithereens, United States' companies are descending on that country.
Before the Iraqis could bury their dead, companies with close ties to George Bush's administration were scavenging for profit in Iraq.
The engineering and construction subsidiary of Vice-President Dick Cheney's Halliburton was given a contract to douse fires in Iraqi oil fields. Halliburton Company was also contracted to build tent cities and provide logistical support for US forces.
Stevedoring Services of America, a long-time donor of the Republicans was awarded a contract to operate the port of Umm Qasr. Like vultures, US companies are lining up for a killing in the "post war reconstruction" of Iraq.
Companies linked to Bush's officials have been short-listed for the $600-million contract to rebuild roads, bridges and other utilities pounded into ashes by killer bombs and missiles.
Although no contracts have yet been awarded, Dyncorp – the US's 13th largest military contractor is busy recruiting people for "a post-conflict Iraq police force".
Having secured contracts to form police forces in Bosnia and Afghanistan, the rent-a-cop company is convinced that the multi-billion contract for assembling a post-war "law and order apparatus" in Iraq is in the bag. That all this pillage is happening should be no surprise.
There is no doubt that what "embedded CNN and BBC journalists" brought into our lounges was an imperialist war.
In an article in the previous Numsa Bulletin edition, we demonstrated how despite all the talk about globalisation heralding an "end of history", gobbleliesation is the war-prone phase of imperialism.
Also in the previous edition of the bulletin, we stated that the real reasons behind "Bush and his Blairrry war" was capitalist profiteering.
Directors and shareholders of arms manufacturers are smiling their way to their banks as United Nations' estimates predict a rise in global annual military spending from $840 billion in 2001 to $1 trillion this year.
A number of articles in this edition are dedicated to the war on Iraq. While it looks as if the initial agenda of toppling Saddam Hussein regime is complete, issues raised by US aggression are to be with us for a long-time.
What are the implications of tensions between different factions of imperialism (US-Britain on one side and France-Germany on the other side)?What is the future of the UN, when countries like the US flagrantly undermine the body?These questions must form part of our discussions as we prepare resolutions for the Cosatu national congress scheduled for September 2003.
Chris HaniAs this bulletin goes to print, the country is marking the 10th year of Chris Hani's assassination. To many of our members', the day Cde Chris was killed remains indelibly imprinted on their minds. Cde Chris symbolised not only their struggle but also their aspirations.
In many ways Cde.Chris displayed the militancy that the metalworkers are known for. His communist beliefs converged with our socialist objectives.
As the SACP has declared the whole of April – the Chris Hani memorial month, we call on all our structures to organise activities to reflect on how far we have travelled since Cde Chris's death.
We also need to talk about the challenges that face us. Numsa members must participate in the hundreds of activities that are planned in memory of Cde Chris. Let us cherish his memory! Let us take forward his communist struggle!
Bargaining 2003This bulletin is published on the eve of a new wage bargaining round. By the time you read this bulletin, as a national union we will have finalised our demands, your demands for this round of bargaining.
There will also be a programme of action to back our positions. As any worker knows, no demand is worth its salt unless we are prepared to fight for it.
As in previous wage negotiations, we hope that every workplace will mobilise in support of what Numsa is calling for. Remember the slogan of this year's negotiation is "Today's bargaining demands are tomorrow's benefits for the poor".
So the campaign is not about our narrow interests it is about our unemployed brothers and sisters, our communities and our children. So do it for the sake of the entire class!
Other activities2003 is a busy year in our federation, Cosatu. In September, as stated above, the federation goes into congress. The 8th congress takes place a few months before the 2004 election.
On the congress agenda are issues such as the 2004 elections, as well as challenges facing workers on the socio-economic and political front.
July 16 is the date that Cosatu's central executive committee has set as the deadline for submission of resolutions. Like in previous years, we hope that Numsa will be ready for this significant gathering of our federation.
As a way of ensuring such readiness, the national office bearers will be outlining a programme of preparations. With no organisational muscle, resolutions that are to emerge out of Cosatu's congress will be meaningless. Acutely aware of this fact, Cosatu convened on 14-16 April its Central Committee.
The gathering focussed on rebuilding the federation and its affiliates. A report on outcomes of the central committee will be carried in future editions of Numsa News and Numsa Bulletin.
May Day, the international workers day is on the horizon. This year's national May Day rally will be at Phuthaditjhaba in QwaQwa.
There will be 26 rallies around the country under the theme "Deepening service to members and fighting for respect of worker's rights!" Cosatu also wants to use the rallies to focus on abuse of workers' and human rights abuses in a number of countries.
Speakers from countries experiencing worker's rights abuse, such as Swaziland, Malawi and Zimbabwe, will be invited to speak at our May Day rallies.
While 2003 will definitely be a challenging year for Numsa and entire labour movement, there is no doubt that our union will rise to the occasion. AMANDLA! Silumko NondwanguGeneral Secretary.
Source
Numsa News