GA/AP/865, 16 June 1978
Following is the text of a message sent today to the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva by the Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, Leslie O. Harriman (Nigeria):
On behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, I wish to commend the ILO General Conference for devoting special meetings for the consideration of the grave problem of apartheid in South Africa during this International Anti-Apartheid Year.
The Special Committee is convinced that the ILO, with its tripartite structure can make a vital contribution to international efforts to eradicate apartheid; to ensure the enjoyment of trade union and human rights by all the people of South Africa without distinction as to race and colour; and to support the legitimate struggle of the oppressed people and their national liberation movement for freedom and self-determination.
The Special Committee recalls with great appreciation the 1964 declaration and programme of the ILO for the elimination of apartheid in labour matters, which set the guidelines for action. It has noted with satisfaction the continued effort of the ILO and its Director-General to draw attention to increasing racial discrimination and repression in South Africa, and to lend support to the oppressed people and their liberation movements.
The Special Committee was privileged to play a role in promoting the organization of international trade conferences against apartheid in 1973 and 1977 which formulated effective programmes for trade union action against apartheid. It attaches particular importance to the role of trade unions not only because apartheid is a negation of all principles cherished by the trade union movement but also because the struggle for liberation in South Africa is essentially a struggle of the working people for their inalienable rights.
Apartheid is, above all, a system of domination and exploitation of the great majority of the population on the basis of race. There can be no genuine advancement of the rights of black workers unless this criminal system is abolished and all the people of the country are enabled to participate, as equals, in the determination of the destiny of the nation.
The mad rush of the apartheid regime towards bantustanization in order to dispossess the African people and confine them in enclaves as reservoirs of cheap labour exposes the cosmetic changes in labour legislation as merely a fraud to deceive the world. The working people of South Africa are, therefore, playing a crucial role in the struggle for liberation and they deserve the solidarity of trade unionists all over the world.
At the same time, the Committee recognizes that Governments and employers can make an effective contribution towards the speedy elimination of apartheid by an end to all collaboration which has sustained and strengthened the racist regime of South Africa.
The massacre of African school children in Soweto two years ago reflected an escalation of savagery by the apartheid regime. Despite world-wide condemnation, that regime has proceeded with indiscriminate killings in numerous African townships the torture and killing in jail of many patriots, including outstanding trade union leaders, and the murder of many hundreds of Namibian refugees in Angola.
The frantic efforts of that regime to expand its armed forces, its constant threats against neighbouring States and its plans to acquire nuclear weapon capability are a clear warning that, unless the entire international community takes urgent and decisive action to destroy apartheid, a far graver crisis is inevitable. The menace of apartheid has now assumed alarming proportions and must be the first concern of all Governments and organizations concerned with peace, international co-operation and the principles of the United Nations family of organizations.
The Special Committee is distressed that some Governments still continue to collaborate with the apartheid regime and to resist international action. It is gravely concerned at the activities of those foreign economic interests which carry on "business as usual" and even assist the repressive and military apparatus of the apartheid regime.
I would, therefore, venture to address an earnest appeal to the Governments and employers, as well as the workers of the world, to search their consciences and to consider concerted action to rid South Africa of racist tyranny and avert the grave menace to peace.
Mere verbal condemnations or "codes of conduct" are hardly adequate in the present situation, which demands decisive international action to abolish apartheid as slave trade was abolished a century ago.
The ILO-as the forum for consultation among Governments, employers and workers, and an organization totally committed against apartheid and racial discrimination-can play a crucial role in promoting concerted and wide-ranging action.
The Special Committee looks forward to continuing and increasing co-operation with the ILO until the evil system of apartheid is eradicated.