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The South African Communist Party (SACP) joins the working-class across the world in celebrating the 76th anniversary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU).

The First World Trade Union Congress at which the WFTU was founded took place in Paris from 3 to 8 October 1945. Friday, 8 October 2021 marks the 76th anniversary of the last day of that historic congress, at which the WFTU was founded on the first day, 3 October 1945. The First World Trade Union Congress was attended by delegates representing 67 million workers from 56 national trade union formations from 55 countries and 20 international organisations.

From inception, the WFTU rooted itself in revolutionary working-class internationalism and never abandoned these roots. Red trade unions enjoined themselves to march forward under the class conscious trade union banner of the WFTU to organise and unite workers for a world free from war and social injustices.

Following victory against fascism, the WFTU continued to defend workers across the world from colonialism and imperialism. It was due to this emancipatory direction that African peoples benefitted from true working-class solidarity, to rid the African continent of colonialism and apartheid, both of which were part and parcel of the exploitative capitalist system.

The SACP also sends special tribute to all the revolutionaries who worked tirelessly to rebuild the federation in 2005 in Havana, Cuba. Organised South African workers continue to contribute to and build the WFTU.

Long live WFTU!

Issued by The South African Communist Party