Open letter to the DGB, IG BCE and GTUC. To manganese miners in Georgia
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- Created: Friday, 04 April 2025 14:45
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We, the International Miners‘ Coordination, were very surprised and outraged when union colleagues from Georgia brought to our attention the letter from the DGB to the Georgian union GTUC. The coordinating group of the International Miners’ Coordination strongly protests against the content of this letter from the DGB and the statements of the IG BCE.
The DGB board writes: ‘Thank you for your letter. We asked our member union IG BCE, which is responsible for the miners, about “Kumpel für Auf” and received the following information, which I am happy to pass on to you: The IG BCE would like to give you a specific and transparent warning: these are people who are close to the German communists.’
Of course, communists can join us, as can Christians, Muslims, Hindus, social democrats and so on. An important lesson learned from the Hitlerite fascism is that the union must work together with other democratic forces, such as communists and social democrats, and form a united front against the fascists. That is what we understand by democratic and non-partisan. We do not exclude any miners because of their attitude, which would be undemocratic. The only exception is that fascists and religious fanatics cannot be members because they divide and are hostile to workers.
‘The International Miners‘ Coordination wants to strengthen the unity and fighting strength of the miners’ movement worldwide as well as its support in the mining regions and the respective countries. We do not see ourselves as competitors to the existing trade unions. We want strong, militant trade unions and work towards them. We need diverse forms of organisation to fight for our vital interests. We seek cooperation with all those who support us in this or share our goals." Excerpt from the founding resolution of the International Miners‘ Coordination. / see appendix 1 for further excerpts.
A large number of trade unions from various countries around the world are represented in the International Miners’ Coordination, and their members are in the front line when it comes to representing the interests of miners and developing the union's fighting strength. Many of them therefore suffer from repression by the mining companies.
Miners and other progressive people who are active in the IGBCE and other DGB trade unions and do active trade union work there have joined forces in Miners for AUF in Germany. Many of them have been doing this for decades and in close connection with representing the interests of the workers as shop stewards and works councils – incorruptible and committed only to the interests of the workers.
Kumpel für AUF in Germany also sees itself as a militant tendency within the union and argues that if you disagree with the approach of the union leadership, withdrawing from the union is not the right step!
I myself have been an active trade unionist in the IGBE and IGBCE for over 45 years. The elected International Miners‘ Coordination Group has been supporting the merger of trade unions for many years: the 2nd International Miners’ Conference in India in 2017 was prepared and carried out by more than 10 Indian trade unions together with the international coordination group. Trade unions from a wide range of backgrounds, most of which had not previously worked together, were now willing to focus on what they had in common, to prioritise the joint project of the conference and to work closely together. This is precisely the idea behind the international miners' coordination. What exactly does the DGB and IG BCE leadership not like about this?
I myself have never shied away from supporting trade unions and miners in other countries directly in their struggles and participating in their activities on the ground, whether in Peru, India or Georgia, where I was last and exchanged experiences with trade union members. Where is the Georgian trade union leadership of the GTUC in the current struggle of the 3,500 manganese miners in Chiatura who were dismissed by text message and who were previously promised that work would resume on 1 March? Where is the solidarity of the IG BCE and the DGB?
What you are doing is stirring up anti-communist prejudices and splitting the workers, and that at least contradicts the statutes of the IG BCE and the DGB in Germany. In this sense, I call on you to withdraw your defamations.
We think that in times of a worldwide economic and financial crisis, the increasing right-wing development and the increased number of fascist governments in the world, wars and the danger of a 3rd world war, it is necessary to put all our energy into the broad anti-fascist union of all progressive forces and trade unions.
In this sense, I call on you to withdraw your defamations! Let's work together for international working-class unity – together with the International Miners‘ Coordination!
Glück auf, and combative greetings in solidarity
Andreas Tadysiak
Main Coordinator of the International Coordinating Group of the Miners’ Coordination
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Appendix:Excerpt from the rules of procedure of the International Miners‘ Coordination
2. Regarding membership in the International Miners’ Coordination
2.1 Organisations, movements and trade unions of miners can join the International Miners‘ Coordination as members. They must recognise the founding resolution, the final communiqué of the 1st IMC in Arequipa/Peru 2013 and the International Program of Struggle adopted by the International Miners’ Coordination.
2.2 Principles of cooperation in the International Miners' Coordination
Mutual support and solidarity in the struggle for a future worth living for the miners and their families.
Equality of all participants.
Autonomous decision of participating forces about their positions and activities.
Obligation of all forces to contribute according to their different possibilities to the coordination of the worldwide miners' movement and to take on tasks responsibly.
Non-interference in the organisation and affairs of other participants.
Democratic and equal culture of debate, mutual respect.
Non-partisanship and ideological openness, while excluding openly anti-worker organisations.
Financial independence and the obligation of all participants to contribute to the financing of joint activities according to their means and based on the people.’ (Founding Resolution of the 1st IMC in Arequipa/Peru 2013)