NUM salutes the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) on its 81st anniversary: an indefatigable shield against capitalist exploitation

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) extends its revolutionary greetings and congratulations to the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) as it marks its 81st anniversary today, 3 October 2026. This historic milestone is commemorated worldwide and locally as an International Action Day under the militant rallying cry: “United in Action and Struggle, We Demand!”

Founded in Paris, France, on 3 October 1945, the WFTU emerged from the ashes of the Second World War with a mandate to unite the international working class. While the foundational United Nations Charter opened with “We the peoples of the United Nations,” the historic First World Trade Union Congress in Paris—convening delegates representing 67 million workers from 56 national organizations across 55 countries and 20 international bodies spoke directly on behalf of organized labor demanding peace, dignity, and freedom from war and social injustice.

Eight decades on, the federation has expanded into a global collective powerhouse, representing over 106 million workers across 136 countries.

For the NUM and the South African working class, the legacy of the WFTU is etched in the struggle for liberation. The federation stood firmly at the forefront of international solidarity against apartheid, actively isolating the racist regime and championing the liberation of South Africa’s downtrodden workers.

Today, the WFTU remains the foremost uncompromising adversary of unchecked capitalist barbarism and imperialist domination. As transnational capital accelerates the exploitation of workers, the NUM fully aligns with the WFTU’s 2026 International Action Day demands:

• Harnessing Science and Technology for Humanity: Ensuring technological advancement, artificial intelligence, and industrial modernization serve the socioeconomic welfare of the working class and protect quality jobs, rather than enriching corporate monopolies.

• Upholding Anti-Imperialist Solidarity: Resisting imperialist aggression, militarism, and unilateral sanctions that devastate working class communities across the Global South.

• Securing Decent Living Standards: Demanding living wages, comprehensive social security, and safe working conditions across the mining, energy, and construction value chains globally.

The WFTU remains the authentic voice of the voiceless, defending the disenfranchised and proving that cross-border class solidarity is an unshakeable shield against global inequality. The NUM reaffirms its unwavering commitment to international worker solidarity and wishes the WFTU a militant and revolutionary 81st anniversary.

Long live the World Federation of Trade Unions, long live!

Amandla!

For more information, please contact:

Mpho Phakedi, NUM General Secretary, 082 882 3452
Livhuwani Mammburu, NUM National Spokesperson, 083 809 3257
Luphert Chilwane, NUM Media Officer, 083 809 3255

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
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Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
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