We were surprised to learn that even in Belgium, a developed country, the rich were getting richer and the poor, poorer. It is now very clear that the capitalist globalisation phenomenon is worldwide and aims mainly to increase the profits of the big capitalists.

We were concerned that our Belgian comrades were not aware of EWCs. This indicated to us the undemocratic nature of the way in which the EU and its policies have been adopted by governments, as well as the lack of information about the issues which are likely to affect ordinary people most.

The report is lacking in detail about the group's discussion and very difficult to respond to.

We noted the common practice of bosses to threaten jobs of workers by relocating the factory in a lower wage area. This forces us as workers of the world to compete against each other for jobs. We agree with the problem of not sharing information and suggested the wider use of media like newsletters as well as E.Mail and Internet. We also agreed with the danger of EWCs causing a shift away from mainstream trade unionism. We compared this with our local situation whereby Workplace Forums are now provided for in the Labour Relations Act to deal with "production" issues and is open to all workers being represented, with no special status for the trade union.

Like you in Sweden we have also noted a gradual weakening and bureaucratisation of our unions. Although the reasons for this here are a bit more complicated we nevertheless think we have a similar trend. We also have a concern about our labour movement being to closely aligned to a political party (ANC). COSATU hardly acts independently politically from the ANC. Political decisions on key national issues are discussed at a top leadership level between COSATU, ANC and the SACP (S.A. Communist Party). We now find our own trade union leaders defending the ANC from criticism, despite it implementing policies which are against the interests of working people such as privatisation.

We disagree with your position on privatisation. It can bring in money to the government in the short term but the long term consequences to workers and the community can be drastic as has been shown by the experiences of several countries. Such consequences include job losses for state employees and increases in the costs of services to communities.

We also had a similar experience as yours in relation the last report from Kenya.

We do not agree with you on the issue of Global Company Councils. We think it can be usefull for sharing experiences and building active solidarity around common demands. We were disappointed that you did not give reasons for not agreeing to GCCs. If you had done so we could have "constructive engagement" about our differences.

What can we say? But simply to fully endorse the contents of your report. We feel as if it echoes so much of our own experiences and views.