Launch statement
Young vanguard workers and anti-capitalist activists!
We are a number of young vanguard workers who have reached the following conclusions after internal theoretical discussions since May Day:
1- The holding and organising of workers' independent gatherings demonstrate a growing self-confidence among a section of the anti-capitalist workers. The form of organisation and holding workers' meetings and gatherings independent of state institutions demonstrate new developments in the labour movement. These developments stem from the workers' own struggles that are taking place around the changes that have been created by the policies of international capital in the region, particularly the occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq .
2- The content of resolutions that were adopted at International Labour Day commemoration meetings, especially the meeting on the Karaj Special Road , contains elements of radicalism in the attitude to the capitalist system. The workers' defensive demands of the previous years have turned into offensive and anti-capitalist demands. Demands that are related to the current level of workers' consciousness and stem from their daily struggles, but at the same time, question the existence of the whole capitalist system can be developed. This has been seen in the case of the Karaj Special Road 's resolution.
3- Holding independent demonstrations without getting permission from state institutions, especially the workers' boldness in commemorating May Day in Saghez, which led to the arrest of a number of labour activists; and the inevitable support of the rest of Iranian workers, and also at an international level and putting the state under pressure until it releases them from jail; demonstrate the change in the balance of forces in workers' favour.
4- The struggle of a section of labour activists against sectarian and opportunist deviations during May Day celebrations, and denouncing them; demonstrate the development of radical and revolutionary tendencies among the vanguard and anti-capitalist workers.
5- To organise anti-capitalist struggles; to form independent workers' organisations; to confront the state's labour institutions; to organise protests and strikes; to confront sectarian and opportunist deviations within the labour movement; to build self-confidence; and finally to form councils; the anti-capitalist workers need a thinking brain. This thinking brain is the party.
6- Because of years of repression and suppression of workers, and the ruling dictatorship of capitalism, forming a workers' party is not a step that can be taken in day. The anti-capitalist vanguard workers still suffer from having their forces dispersed and scattered. The vanguard workers continue to suffer from weaknesses on theoretical issues. In other words, neither concentrated organisational experience nor unity exists among the workers. And vanguard workers have not yet reached the theoretical views that rely on the theoretical and practical embodiment of 200 years of international workers struggles (revolutionary Marxism).
7- To overcome the present unfavourable situation, we suggest the setting up of a workers' united action bloc made up of militant and anti-capitalist workers, organised on the basis of joint anti-capitalist activities; and also discussions and exchanges of views on how workers' organisations can be formed. The vanguard workers' united action bloc can be organised through a regular and joint workers' paper. This bloc is still not a workers' apparatus or organisation. But it is a joint action bloc of militant anti-capitalist workers and revolutionary Marxists and is based on two points:
a) That joint anti-capitalist activities hinge on a workers' action programme (the draft of this programme has been presented and can be criticised, analysed and amended).
b) That there is an exchange of views to prepare, form and strengthen independent workers' organisations, workers' committees and workers' socialist cells.
The vanguard workers who agree with these two hinges key points and who have taken a stand against sectarian (domineering) and opportunist (syndicalist) tendencies, and believe in the labour movement and believe in anti-capitalist and revolutionary Marxist struggles, can become activists of this workers' united bloc.
This united bloc will be formed by observing the principle of workers' democracy and the right to organise as tendencies from all existing views. In other words, no individual or tendency will be excluded because of their beliefs, views or programme. The decisions of progressing theoretical and practical activities in the form of collective and council, and, where necessary, will take place through the election of a co-ordination committee.
8- The workers' action committee is being formed to publicise and develop the above points. This body is a preparatory and temporary committee.
9- The workers' action committee will also, until the time that a long term joint action body has been formed; will, together with international workers' bodies, take action to organise the defence of vanguard workers, especially the workers of Saghez.
10- We invite young vanguard workers and anti-capitalist activists to assist us in these preparations.
Workers' Action Committee ( Iran )
pishroo@fastmail.fm
3 September 2004