Moviment Graffitti said in a statement today that the 1st of May should serve as a reminder of the importance of past workers' struggles that fought for basic rights, as well as encourage us to continue these struggles in today's world, where these rights are increasingly under threat from neoliberalism.

Moviment Graffitti stated, "the 1st of May commemorates the Chicago riots of 1886, when workers were murdered while protesting for more workers' rights and, in particular, for the establishment of an 8-hour working day. In subsequent years, workers managed to achieve a degree of rights through hard-fought struggles."

it added that however, many of these rights are now being rescinded by policies implemented for the exclusive benefit of private interests and established economic elites. "It is only through a common struggle which encompasses workers of different sexes, nationalities and cultural backgrounds, that a more just world with a fairer distribution of resources and power can be achieved."

Moviment Graffitti went on to say that, "Malta, too, has seen an intensification of neoliberal policies to the detriment of the workers. In the past few years, both the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party have embarked on the road of privatisation in every sector, with the latest privatisations carried out in the energy and health sectors."

"Working conditions for many people in Malta are poor. Low wages, discrimination and precariousness are widespread and there are many cases in which even the statutory labour rights are not respected. The minimum wage is set at a ridiculously low rate. Holidays for feasts falling on weekends, which had been taken away from the workers by the Nationalist administration, have not been given back by the Labour administration notwithstanding its promises."

Moviment Graffitti said, all this shows the urgency to fight at a local level for more workers' rights and for a more democratic economic system where wealth and decision-making powers are not concentrated in the hands of the few.

Moviment Graffitti will be holding an event to celebrate Workers Day on Sunday, the 1st of May at 67, Strait Street, Valletta, starting at 6pm. The movie "Salt of the Earth" will be screened. This will be followed by a short discussion on the relevance and effectiveness of workers' struggles on both the local and global levels. The evening will continue with a selection of resistance music.

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