Unemployed march in
Sweden by Goran Karrman
MORE THAN 4.000 PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM unemployed trades union members, marched against the social democratic government and its austerity program in Stockholm on Thursday October 18th
Initiated by a unemployed transport worker, and mother of four, the protest gained nation-wide attention and support. Among the speakers at the demonstration were the chairman of the Transport workers union, Hans Wahlstrom, and Hans Karlsson from the LO union federation. Notable by his absence was LO chairman Bertil Jonsson, well-known for his steadfast support of the ruling Social Democratic Party.
Prime Minister Goran Person and Labour Minister Margaretha Winberg, have been touring Europe with their message of reassurance for diplomats and investors. The Swedish government will deliver severe cuts in indirect wages, without provoking unrest. Their message was even used by the German capital as a tool against unions and the SPD in the struggle against German workers' right to 100% of salary during periods of sickness.
The marchers in Stockholm showed another side of the coin, a growing sense of "enough is enough" among thousands of Swedish workers, employed or unemployed. Cuts in the country's once-famous welfare system have put Swedish workers in a situation not known for generations. Over 700,000 Swedes (14%) find themselves cut out of the normal job-market and the figure is rising. Meanwhile, severe cuts are being made in the unemployment benefit system, and the social security net, leaving tens of thousands of households on the brink of disaster!
No one could miss the anger and the frustration among the marchers on October 18th, and their open distrust of the ruling Social Democratic Party. "They listen to big business, and shove us aside," was one of many comments. "I'm a social democrat without a party," read one placard, capturing the sentiment of many participants. the sentiment of many participants.
Other placards and slogans showed the demonstrators awareness of the danger that European union, and the planned single currency, represent to workers. "Maastricht is a framework for generalised attacks against workers rights all over Europe."
There is a clear and growing need for coordinated actions all over Europe. This Stockholm demonstration took place at the same time as a French public sector strike (followed by over 1/3 of the workers concerned) As one Swedish worker said on national radio: "If this doesn't help us to get a change, then we'll opt for a solution à la française [French-style]" * Reprinted from Internationalen, Stockholm 6 International Viewpoint