The following May Day statement addressing the workers of Ukraine was issued by the communist organization Union Borotba (Struggle), whose members were driven underground or into exile following the U.S.-backed coup in Kiev last year. It was translated by Workers World contributing editor Greg Butterfield. Until recently, we all perceived May 1 as a reason to open barbecue season, walk in a ritual procession under the red flag and spend time with friends at parties. Now this day is filled with new meaning for us. Ukraine lies in ruins. Donbass bleeds, factories close, the lights increasingly go out in cities, people have lost their jobs and savings, and pensioners are on the edge of survival. In one year, the country has been transformed from a poor European power into an impoverished and backward, war-torn colony. … This all happened before our eyes, the reality surpassing even the wildest negative forecasts and expectations. We are robbed: utility rates have risen more than three times; the hryvnia [Ukrainian currency] fell three times; inflation has exceeded 40 percent; to please the IMF, salaries and pensions are not indexed [to cost of living]; taxes were increased twice. The result is that the Ukrainian worker is now five times poorer than last year! […]
Leave a Reply