Against the Repressions of Striking Workers

The CP of Poland expresses a strong objection against the persecution of striking workers of Kazakhstan oil industry.

In may 2011, the two years old conflict between the trade unions and the management of oil companies: “KarazanBasMunai”, “TulparMunajService” and “ArgymakTransService” brought on the strike, followed by the attempts to break it by repressions, mass dismissals and arrests.

The recognition of the strike as illegal, dismissals of its participants and trials against trade unionists, especially the conviction of Natalia Sokolova, a trade union lawyer for six years in prison on the basis of the accusation of “spreading social hatred” is nothing but the manifestation of political repressions. Actions of the Kazakh authorities and courts, both representing interests of the oil company owners, are meant to intimidate working people and force them to obey the capital.

The situation in the Kazakh oil sector is an example of how the big capitalist concerns rob countries rich in natural resources and exploit their workers. In the recent years the oil production has substantially increased. For workers, however, it did not mean a salary increase but only further intensification of their exploitation.

The CP of Poland sympathizes with the protesting workers of the oil sector in Kazakhstan, who are struggling for an improvement of the working conditions in workplaces, the reduction of harmful impact on environment and – what is the most crucial – who demand the nationalization of the Kazakh oil sector.

We demand:

• an immediate release of the held protesting workers of the oil industry in Kazakhstan, who are political prisoners,

• guarantees for the Kazakh workers of the right to strike and to proper working conditions

• the implementation of the postulates of strikers by the country authorities.