Issue # 1408      29 April 2009

58 countries to attend May Day celebration in Cuba

More than 1,450 participants from 58 countries had confirmed last week their attendance at the celebration of the International Workers’ Day in Cuba. Of them, 777 come representing 200 trade unions, and 719 are members of solidarity movements.

According to the announcement made by the Cuban Workers Federation (CTC), the larger number of foreign participants, 688, comes from 25 countries of the Americas, and includes trade union and social leaders; 560 participants from 19 countries come from Europe; 100 from five Asian countries; 76 from seven countries in Africa and the Middle East; and from Oceania, 68 Australians and 4 New Zealanders.

Some of the largest delegations are those from France, with 178 participants; Uruguay 163; United Kingdom 112; Canada 102; Japan 87; Brazil 69; Australia 68; Belgium 53 and Argentina, 50.

According to the figures confirmed in the last few days, the number of foreign participants in this May Day celebration is already larger than last year’s (1,300), and it may be even larger, taking into consideration that many organisations the world over want to attend this celebration in Cuba, since it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the 1959 revolution and the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the CTC.

Approximately 1,000 of these visitors will also take part in the traditional Solidarity Meeting with Cuba on May 2 at the Palacio de las Convenciones.

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