RPF calls for unification of working class
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 30 2012: The proscribed RPF has called upon peasants and labourers of the land to unite and struggle together and lay a strong foundation for a vibrant society and a life of dignity.

Greeting the workers of the world in general and the workers of Manipur in particular on the occasion of the International Workers' Day (May Day), the outfit lamented that living conditions of the workers and peasants of Manipur are far from being desirable.

Even as workers' unions in different countries have demonstrated their tremendous power in different periods of the world history, peasants and workers of the land are still unable to form a united front, partly because of Manipur's small geographical size and partly due to absence of big industries.

Since the dawn of human civilization, the powerful and wealthy sections have been exploiting the general mass.

The history of Europe during the medieval period is abound with stories of exploitation of peasants by landlords, the outfit pointed out in a press release issued by its Secretary Publicity T Leisemba.

In the course of time, a clear picture of the changing socio-economic system was visible during the 18th century which also witnessed widespread in-dus- trial revolution across Europe.

Following the industrial revolution, the socio-economic system rapidly evolved into capitalism under which all the political and economic powers were held by the rich few.

As the roots of capital ism grew deeper and deeper, life of the majority became more and more miserable.

The capitalist class exploited the working class day and night by giving only the minimal wages.

Subsequently, the living condition of the working class reached its nadir in the first part of the 19th century.

The condition of workers at that period was nothing better than beasts of burden.

The first sign of revolt against such inhuman exploitation was the demand of the Machanics Union of Philadelphia not to exceed a day's working hours beyond 10 hours.

At that time, workers were forced to work 16 to 18 hours in a day.

By 1850, workers started raising their voices and ultimately put forward their demand to reduce the working hours to eight hours.

The same demand was first realised in Australia in 1856.Elsewhere, the same demand was met with stiff opposition.

Even the military was used against the workers' movement in the USA in 1877 .

Earlier in 1875, 10 labourers were hang to death on the charge of inciting workers' movement.

Slowly and steadily, the workers' movement expanded its scope and directed its target to capitalism itself.

The capitalist class responded by unleashing a series of repressive measures.

Despite all the repressive measures, the convention of the Organised Trade and Labour Union held at Chicago in 1884 decided to launch massive movement on May 1 next year in order to reduce working hours to 8 hours a day and enact the same demand as a law.

May 1, 1886 witnessed massive workers' movements in different parts of America.

As the movement intensified on May 3, police launched a severe crackdown resulting in injuries to a multitude of workers.

On the next day, large number of workers assembled at Hay Market Square and shouted slogans against the capitalist and ruling class.

At the command of the ruling class, police opened fire at the protesters and killed many of them.

In commemoration of this historic workers' movement, May 1 is being observed as the International Workers' Day every year.

Knowing well that the united strength of workers can bring revolutionary changes across the world, Karl Marx left a large number of valuable writings.

The People's Republic of China was also set up by the collective strength of peasants under the leadership of Mao Zedong.

The world history has proved beyond doubt that the workers and peasants have been taking pivotal roles not only in heralding economic revolution but also political revolution, the outfit asserted.

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