Governments worldwide are spending heavily on military
arms and foreign conflicts. To pay for these wars, leaders cut budgets for
schools, healthcare, and public welfare. Rising prices and military draft plans
place heavy burdens on everyday citizens. Because of these pressures, young
people and workers across the globe are organizing protests.
Public anger has sparked demonstrations in many
nations:
In France, students shut down schools and marched
alongside activists despite police curfews. Protests over healthcare, housing
costs, and military drafts spread across Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and
Germany.
Canadian auto employees voted in large numbers to
prepare for a strike. Similar labor unrest appeared in North American hospitals
and service jobs. High fuel costs and political disputes caused highway
blockades in Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Textile workers in Bangladesh blocked roads over pay
disputes. University professors in Kenya stopped teaching to demand better
contracts. Citizens in India gathered to oppose sudden changes to voter
registration lists.
Many local groups are fighting the same economic and
political hardships. Bringing these separate movements together across borders
could create a stronger push for peace, fair wages, and better public services.
International Labour Day is celebrated worldwide on 1st May. Trade Unions and workers' organisations organised mass rallies and meetings. They remembered the martyred workers who fought for an 8-hour workday in Chicago, USA, in May 1886. The Haymarket incident inspires us to carry on the struggle now, when workers' rights and dignity are under attack across the globe.
Monopoly capitalism is following neo liberal globalisation. The imperialist war is destroying many countries. The US-Israeli force is attacking Iran. Trying to capture its oil resources has created an oil crisis. As a result, the price rise is decreasing real wages more.
Capitalism's systemic crisis is intensifying. The ruling class is trying to impose the burden on working people. When the working class and toiling masses are rallying on the street, protesting and organising themselves, the ruling class is trying to suppress them violently. They are using state power to do so. Activists are arrested and beaten.
In India, the Modi government has imposed the four labour codes, which became fully operational by 1st April. They are increasing work hours and curtailing minimum wages, social safety, and the right to form labour unions. Against this, protest movements and strikes are taking place across India.
Contractual and gig workers are also suffering severely. Modern technology, such as Artificial Intelligence, is used in ways that result in job losses. Workers are exploited more. This type of modern slavery is introduced in countries around the globe.
In fact, inequality is increasing worldwide. According to the "World Inequality Report 2026" published by UNDP, the richest 10 per cent of the world's population now holds nearly 75% of all wealth. But the poorest half of the global population has only 2%. In most countries, the bottom half of the population rarely holds more than 5% of national wealth.
According to the ILO's recent global report, annually, 840,000 people die due to long work hours, job insecurity, and harassment at the workplace, which damages their physical and mental health.
So, workers must unite and strengthen their struggle. Alliances between workers and peasants are also necessary.
In India, the Hindutva-fascist Modi regime is also violating workers' and people's rights. They are paving the path for corporate looting of natural and labour resources.
Workers must fight. For that, as May Day teaches us, workers need determination and sacrifice. That can be achieved through continuous study and practical implementation in the context of class struggle. As inter-imperialist conflict increases, the struggle between the bourgeoisie and labour is also intensifying. Workers must take this opportunity. They must increase class struggle and establish socialism by moving beyond capitalism. Thus, May Day is still very relevant.
For this, workers must be both physically and mentally strong. Remoulding activists' minds is necessary to strengthen the organisation. Various traditional methods are available to do so. We must use them optimally.
We can discuss our ideas in organisational meetings, informal group discussions, and one-to-one interactions. Can share experiences. Build an organisational atmosphere that supports democracy and balances it with centralism. At the same time, build a positive culture. That can support critical thinking and creative thinking. Must build a growth mindset. That ensures the lifelong learning mindset.
Psychological fitness is essential in the ranks of the workers' organisation to build militant revolutionary organisations and movements. New techniques for developing innovative thinking must be learned and practised.
We must take advantage of modern neuroscientific advances to change our mentality, thought patterns, and belief systems. We can learn at any age. The capitalist consumerist culture is decaying the revolutionary values.
The current crisis is also creating despair. But we cannot afford pessimism now. We must cultivate hope and encourage innovative ideas that will strengthen workers’ and oppressed peoples' movements.
Activists should acquire professional expertise and learn to use modern technology effectively to become experts. But alongside this, we must also be red, i.e., equipped, well educated, and conscious of revolutionary ideology. Must be red and expert.
Everyone should develop personally through self-cultivation. Also, combine personal development with organisational development. and technical development. To counter capitalist machinery, we must be equally equipped. We should adopt effective tools even from our class enemies and develop them further to destroy this exploitative capitalist system and build a better alternative, i.e., scientific socialism. All great leaders of revolutionary proletarian movements did that in their times to achieve victory.
For example, to counter the bourgeois media campaign, workers and left activists cannot rely much on outside experts. But organisations must make our cadres experts.
We cannot constrain ourselves to the limited beliefs that workers' organisations have only certain forms and functions. To undertake the complex tasks ahead to achieve rights and dignity for workers and oppressed people, we must be developed both in quality and quantity.
On 3rd January, in the early hours, the US military attacked Venezuela.
They bombed the capital city, Caracas. At least 40 people were killed
there, according to media reports. They also abducted Venezuela's
democratically elected president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Donald Trump demanded in a social media post that Maduro and his wife be in US
custody.
But after that, Venezuela's Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy
Rodriguez as the interim president. In fact, people not only in Venezuela and Latin
America, but also around the globe, are protesting against this illegal
intervention. They are demanding the immediate release of President Maduro
and his wife, and urging respect for the Latin American country's
sovereignty. This action by the Trump government is a clear violation of
international law. People are also protesting against this even in the
USA.
It is noteworthy that Washington is trying to spread lies to justify
their criminal actions, accusing Maduro of a so-called narco-terrorism
conspiracy. But this false allegation cannot hide US imperialism's actual
goal, which is to establish neo-colonial rule and take control of Venezuela's
oil reserves, which are the world's largest.
Trump is also trying to threaten all governments that are pursuing
independent policies. He represents the American ruling class. The Oligarchy
that wants to impose a puppet government in Venezuela. So that
multinational corporations can exploit Venezuela's people and the country's
natural resources. But international pressure is also mounting around the
world against this US military aggression.
Most people become nervous when they go for public speaking. It is an important communication skill. But many activists cannot do this. But it is necessary for them to be publicists, agitators, and organizers.
Communal attacks are going on against minorities in Bangladesh. Islamic fundamentalists are organizing this. On 26th November, the Acting General Secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Manindra Kumar Nath, informed that 2010 attacks against minorities were reported in Bangladesh. That affected 1705 families. These incidents include murder, molestation, and kidnapping.[1]
Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested recently on sedition charges. He is the spokesperson of a Bangladesh-based Hindu organisation. Minorities are protesting against these incidents.
It is noteworthy that in India, BJP-RSS are also using these issues in their propaganda to increase communal polarization.
On the other hand, in the garment sector of Bangladesh, workers organised protests in various demands including wage increase in October-November. They organised strikes also. However, the interim government resorted to heavy police repression.
In July-August, there was a mass protest in the South Asian country. It started first as a student protest against the 30% quota system reservation in government jobs for descendants of freedom fighters. But the government resorted to heavy repression. The Supreme Court then took steps. It decreased the quota to 5%.[2] But already, 200 protestors were dead.
Then, the mass protest grew. It was actually against Sheikh Hasina's increasingly authoritarian and corrupt government. People wanted democracy. She had to leave the country. Her party, Awami League's leaders, were also attacked. That led to regime change.
During this chaos, the Bangladesh National Party and fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami increased their strength again. Fundamentalists are now targeting minorities, too. US imperialism is also active to destabilise the situation to increase their influence in the region.
Interim government was formed. Muhammad Yunus has become the Chief Advisor in this government. Which has military backing. But unrest is going on. Economic condition is also deteriorating. High price rise is a serious problem now.
It is the responsibility of the Bangladesh government to maintain peace and harmony as well as to give security to all minorities.
GENEVA, Nov. 9 -- On 6 November, Lebanese Labor Minister
Moustafa Bayram filed a formal complaint at the International Labor
Organization. Against Israel's involvement in the pager explosions.
According to media reports, in mid-September, pager and walkie-talkies explosions killed 37 people including 2 children in Lebanon.
3000 people were injured. Many workers at their workplace and homes got killed.
Civilians were targeted. According to Lebanese government officials, this
method of warfare is a violation of international humanitarian law.
Iran also criticised the U.S. and its allies for supporting
Israel's crime. According to the Iranian President, the U.S. is claiming that
they want a ceasefire. But practically they support the Zionist
state's crimes.
A few days ago, one of my friends was talking about
various personal problems in life. How they have blocked his scope of social
activism. Then another friend said, there are various obstacles no
doubt. In economic, social, cultural and political life. Also,
in personal lives. But activists have to surmount the barricades. Problems can be utilised for
self-cultivation and preparation.
He gave an example from his personal
experience. Even a physically challenged person can transform his/her handicap into an equivalent asset or
advantage. He has acute back pain. It is a nerve-related disease. So the doctor
told him to do some orthopaedic exercise daily twice. It takes a total of one
hour daily. But if he doesn't do it, it will hamper his normal moving capacity.
Then he was depressed. It's a big waste of time, he thought. But after a few
days, he tried to utilise the time. Started listening to audiobooks when doing
those special exercises. For that, he used a cordless Bluetooth device
connected to his mobile phone.
This now helps him to read at least one book
weekly. As he cannot do any other thing while doing the exercise, he is forced
to form a reading habit. Otherwise, in a daily hurry, he would not be
able to manage the time. Today he feels blessed. He can increase his knowledge
and outlook. It helps him in every sphere of life including activism.
As we all know, there are not only personal
troubles. At present the whole world is facing various complex problems.
Socio-economic, political, cultural, environmental etc. The consequences can be disastrous, if
not solved immediately.
According to a 2024 report by Oxfam, the wealth of the five richest
individuals has doubled since 2020. While five billion people have become
poorer in "decade of division." That organisation
also informedlast year that the richest 1% now possess nearly double the wealth of the rest
of the world combined.
Such poverty and various kinds of discrimination
are the result of the current unhealthy system. But there are also many
progressive movements active in various parts of the globe. They are trying to
take the initiative to solve these crises. Some of them want radical change -
systemic transformation. Aim at an alternative system. Which can ensure more
egalitarian human development. Others demand reforms.
Reforms may be partial. They have limitations. It
can be one-sided too. But among them, there can be progressive elements.
Those who sincerely want positive changes must be
generally considered as progressive elements. But there are also other
elements. They only use progressive phrases. But do otherwise. They actually
want to fool others to gain personal importance. When a situation demands
firmness, they just surrender and run for vested interest.
Progressive people can be activists. But all places
are not similarly suitable for such work. What can they do? How can they
contribute?
In their country/locality, if there are progressive
movements present, then they can simply join them. Donate, and participate
in activities and campaigns. Also, subscribe to related literature.
Some activists may be not only progressive but also
radical-minded. They should find that type of organisation. But if such bodies
are absent there. They can join at least some organisations where general
people are involved. That may not even be a fully progressive body. There can
be some other elements too. But they should gather experience and efficiency
through participating there. Can try to solve people's real problems and
educate them. Gather experience and skill.
Activists cannot always remain in a small circle of
like-minded people. But they must try to influence millions. It cannot be done
in one day. But a lengthy process, we all know.
Those who want deep structural changes, have to face
systemic problems. Must aim to build a new alternative system in future. Which
is a gigantic task. Preparing for that is essential.
As history teaches us, to challenge the system,
activists must prepare themselves. Gather great mental and physical strength.
Work continuously to be very strong. Be skillful and acquire specialised
knowledge. For that, they must do self-cultivation. Should also build
powerful organisations and bodies.
Every activist must have two most important
qualities as some great progressive leaders pointed out. Firstly, full
dedication to his/her cause. Which requires the development of proper
consciousness through special education. Practical training for
activists.
Secondly, efficiency in his/her field of
work. It includes business-like professional expertise and mastery of using
technology too. Both this dedication to his/her ideas and expertise must be
properly combined.
Great progressive and radical leaders discussed
their lives, experiences and activities in their writings. We can consult
such literature. Also, should read their biographies. General Motivational
literature can also present various practical tools. But their maximum focus is
generally on personal gains. So, all their suggestions cannot be mechanically
and indiscriminately absorbed.
