LETTER FROM VIA CAMPESINA BRASIL

Denunciation against VALE and solidarity to its workers in Canada

We, organizations members of Via Campesina Brazil, express our solidarity to the workers of VALE in Canada and reinforce our denunciations against this company.

Dear comrades, we live in a very difficult international context of crisis due to the current economic system where the companies seek to increase their profits through the exploitation of their workers and nature.

The biggest part of natural resources and the economy are controlled by big multilateral corporations and amongst them VALE is a protagonist. Transnational corporations have profits as their sole objective and that is why they invest primarily in speculative markets, in the exploitation of strategic natural resources and the workforce of their employees.

As Via Campesina Brazil, we know very well their tactics and strategies against their workers. VALE used to be a state company when it was called Companhia Vale do Rio Doce and was practically grabbed from the Brazilian people through its privatization. Now, an international capital company, its attitude against its workers has worsened considerably.

Here in Brazil, we are constantly fighting against VALE for its environmentally destructive practices and the super-exploitation of its workers. In the midst of the global crisis VALE fired thousands of its Brazilian workers without any justification. Our struggle included the National Plebiscite in 2007 regarding the company’s fate. Various leaders of our movements have been systematically persecuted and charged in our country by we continue firm in our struggle.

In the last few months we are following closely the struggle of the Canadian workers and we feel part of Your struggle. VALE has used the global crisis as an excuse to fire and exploit even further its workers and that is why it is always seeking to fight and weaken the syndicates. We shall not allow this to happen. We are aware of its perverse practices against its workers throughout the world and at this moment in particular, against the workers of the USW in Canada, where for the last 7 months are fighting and marching on the streets. We are proud of Your struggle and we hope you continue firm and determined.

We are also calling the Canadian society to join you and support the workers of this country because it is a fundamental element for the success of their struggle.

Finally we reaffirm our total support to the workers of VALE in Canada, since we are the social class that produces in this world, including the profits of the companies. We hope that your struggle continues firm till the final victory.

Globalizemos a Luta, Globalizemos a esperança!

MAB, MPA, MST, MMC, PJR, CPT, CIMI, FEAB