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housing, pensions, etc.). In 2015 the proportion of social expenditure was 61% and in 2016 it went
up to 64%. Now it is 73% and the right wing opposition is against it, thus the masses are in the
streets to express support for the budget (a minister, correctly highlighted the fact that Venezuela
must be the only country in the world where workers stage demonstrations in favour of the
government’s budget).
President Maduro has placed the working class at the centre and in a leadership position to struggle
against the economic war the nation is being subjected to. The role of the working class in this
struggle and in the construction of the new society is at the helm and at the top. Furthermore,
Nicolas Maduro is the first president who is a member of the proletariat, and that is why Hugo
Chavez was absolutely right when he called upon the PSUV and Venezuelans to support Nicolas in
the eventuality of his departure.
What is posed for us in the future is to continue to develop the nation’s productive capacities
around the 15 identified engines of economic growth, to both continue reducing our dependence on
oil and organising the CLAPS and other grassroots bodies to defeat completely the nasty economic
war launched against millions of Venezuelans and which has caused so much hardship to so many
for the last 4 years.
We know we count with the strong support of the British Labour Movement that has been
exemplary in its unbreakable commitment to the Bolivarian process, but we now are asking you to
redouble your solidarity during this very difficult period we are going through. We thank the
Venezuela Solidarity Campaign for coordinating, organising and championing our right to self-
determination.
On our part, we give you the undertaking that Venezuela’s working class and the CBST will never
waver in their commitment to the Bolivarian process, the support for our worker President and the
new society we are constructing. The reactionary oligarchy-imperialism alliance will not defeat us.
Viva Venezuela! Viva Maduro! Viva Chavez!
7
Vietnam.
7.1
A very useful meeting was held before Xmas with the Vietnamese Ambassador who is kindly
prepared to ensure that air fares for our health and safety project are waived.
7.2
The GMB is very keen on this project also. Dr John Callow from GMB was able to also
represent the GFTU on a recent visit to the Vietnamese General Confederation of Labour.
8
Turkey and Kurdistan.
8.1
The GFTU has made representations against the actions of the Turkish government.
8.2
A presentation on the Kurdish communities in the Middle East was well received by the EC
and it agreed to support the Free Ocalan campaign.
8.3
A Kurdish festival is being held at Quorn on July 30th 2017.
9
Latvia.
9.1
An invitation has been extended to the Latvian Building Workers Union to send young
delegates to our Youth Conference.