IndustriALL Global, IndustriAll European Trade Union Ask for Justice and Solidarity in Covid Fight

“The universal right of access to medical supplies, especially vaccines and potential medicines to treat Covid-19, should not depend on the purchasing power of governments and other market dynamics,” said IndustriALL Global, IndustriAll European Unions this morning. “We believe that there should not be first- and second-class citizens and no-one should be left behind.”  The announcement comes as the EU and other political entities are fighting over vaccines.

IndustriALL said the common global endeavor and public-private cooperation to find drugs and vaccines “demonstrated the best internationalism.” This of course is in distinct opposition to the chauvinistic politicians and institutions that are embroiled in selfish behaviors as anyone who follows global politics and the COVID-19 pandemic is aware.

“No continent, no country, no economy, no person will be safe until the whole world is safe. Vaccine nationalism is a short-sighted response to this global problem. It will prolong the pandemic and the threat of new variants endangering us all. We stand for the right of universal access to vaccination,” said IndustriALL.

IndustriAll Europe and IndustriALL Global Union appeal to the industry to:

• Cooperate, even with competitors to increase production so the vaccination process can speed up.
• Provide full transparency about production volumes, price calculations, purchasing contracts, etc.
• Put the public good/interests before profits, make medicines and vaccinations available for everyone.

We have full understanding for the pressure on countries to secure medical products and bring relief to people. Bearing this in mind, IndustriAll European Trade Union and IndustriALL Global Union appeal to politicians:

• Populism will not defeat Covid-19.
• We – our health, our economies and our jobs – will only recover if we recover globally.
• Work rationally and in solidarity for the best possible outcome for all globally with the universal value of solidarity and equality.

“Workers in the pharmaceutical industries around the globe, represented by IndustriAll European Trade Union and IndustriALL Global Union, are ready and eager to produce all the medication and vaccines needed and thus contribute to overcoming this crisis,” they said.