"The torture chamber of Latin America"

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NBERAR Argentina. Recognition for black SA union Trotskyist International Because of its military government, which has suppressed the working class in a manner that is barbaric even by South American standards, Uruguay has been called the torture chamber of Latin America'.

However at one time it was stable, prosperous and with a comprehensive wel fare system.

The existence of these conditions was dependent on Uruguay's exports, and when the market for these was reduced the economy went into sharp decline.

This was not helped by a 'flight of capital' from the country.

Polarisation

Class harmony gave way to class polarisation and when workers mobilised to defend their living standards the government sent in troops to break strikes.

The excuse for this repression of workers was the activities of the Tupamaros :.. guerrilla. group, • despite the fact that they had little working class base.

In response, to : widespread labour unrest, the present military government intervened in 1973 and since then has carried out a campaign of systematic repression against the working class similar to that Pinochet or Videla.

All political parties are illegal or "in recess". • and hundreds of members of left wing parties have disappeared or been murdered.

This figure is even worse when once considers that Uruguay's population is only three million.

Reprisals

At present, resistance Is minimal and is always met with swift reprisals. The National Confederation of Workers (CNT) has been made illegal and its leaders imprisoned.

Many thousands of trade unionists have been arrested and tortured. The government has attempted i TO replace independent working Class organisations with 'yellow' trade unions controlled by the state, but on its own admission has met with little success.

A new labour code was drawn up in 1979. Its main aim was the replacement of the concept of class struggle and the national disunity it implies - with cooperation between capital and labour?

The code, which also banned trade unionists from political activity, was condemned by the ILO and rejected by Uruguay's militant bank workers.

Despite their apparently secure position, the Uruguayan generals are conscious that they are in an isolated position and have no significant support from any section of society.

They therefore propose to make way for a civilian government that will not threaten their interests.

This plan, called the Chronogram 1 involves elections this year and a new constitution.

It also means a restricted role for the two traditional political parties, the Colorados and the Blancos (who are so fractionalised that they have no ideological cohesion).

The Chronogram will mean only minimal liberalisation, and in fact will only serve to legitimise existing oppression (all left wing parties will still be illegal).

It has, however, given the USA an excuse to resume arms sales to Uruguay on the pretext of a "return to democracy", , and Uruguay may well be a partner in a possible US-backed South Atlantic Alliance with South Africa and Argentina.

The military coup of 1973 was a major defeat for the Uruguayan working class and there has only been slight resistance from independent working class organisations who can only exist in exile or in secret.

• Although the struggle of Uruguay's working class is often overlooked in favour of similar struggles in the region, their fight is the same fight as : i Chile and The defeat of the military regime will take a long time, but can only be achieved by Uruguay's working class, supported by international working class solidarity.

pRE Black trade unionists wave of victimisations and at Colgate-Palmolive in -other attacks on their shop South Africa have forced floor organisation and consolidate the strength of their management to recognise independent unions. their union.

After an overwhelming vote by Colgate workers for strike to back their demands, the employers dropped their insistence that Liaison the Chemical Industrial Workers' Union should apply Committee for admission to a government-sponsored industrial • Victory A detailed recognition agreement is now to be negotiated with the union, which is affiliated to the Federation of South African 1981 Trades Unions.

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TIMPE CIALIST.