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International Support for the Workers of Zanon


To: the President of Argentina, N駸tor Kirchner, the Governor of the province of Neuqu駭, Jorge Sobisch, Federal Judge Rafael Barreiro, and other members of the government and nation of Argentina
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(La traduzione in italiana si trova gi・

Around the world, Argentina痴 movement of recovered companies and factories is seen as an inspiration in the fight against neoliberalism, and an important symbol of another world that is possible, necessary, and emerging.

One of the jewels of this movement is the worker-controlled ceramic tile factory of Zanon in Neuquen: a concrete and successful local alternative to the global economic model. Under worker control, the factory has increased employment 50% in one year from 300 to 450 workers: what multinational corporation can boast that kind of record? The Zanon workers have managed this democratically, with decisions made in open assemblies, and every worker having equal power. How many of us have ever experienced true democracy in our workplaces?

The Zanon workers have also built deep popular support in the province of Neuquen, and have shown their commitment to their community in many ways, most recently by building a community health centre in the impoverished community next to the factory.

And yet the reward for the extraordinary successes of the last three years seems to be the constant threat of eviction, and a state of precariousness that could be easily removed by simple legal and legislative measures.

We the undersigned therefore call upon the governments of Argentina and Neuquen, and the courts dealing with various aspects of the bankruptcy case to enact the following immediately:

1. Remove any threat of eviction from the factory, both now and in the future.

2. Grant legal recognition to the Zanon workers・co-operative, FaSinPat, and acknowledge the important social and economic contribution they have made to their community over the past three years.

Without the court痴 recognition of their co-operative, the Zanon workers cannot carry out their plan for the exportation of their tiles: we are eager to buy their products in the rest of the world!

3. Pass a permanent and definitive law of expropriation on behalf of the workers of Zanon, so they can stop wasting energy in political and legal battles, and devote all their efforts to creating many more jobs, helping to build hospitals, schools, and housing in the public interest, and spreading the model of economic democracy, so desperately needed in Neuquen and around the world.

Social movements around the world are watching the struggle of the Zanon workers with great interest and passionate support. This highly successful alternative to the neoliberal status quo should not be repressed or threatened: it should be celebrated, supported, and exported!