- The Guardian
- Issue #2138
Democritus House in Northcote hosted a bilingual IWWD event on 15 March. A group of Democritus League members and associates over four generations joined the commemorations.
Speakers from Federation of Italian Migrant Workers and Families (FILEF) and Victorian Ambulance Union held forth in Greek and English about the radical roots of IWWD, the multi-faceted issues migrant working women face and growing up as the daughter of a Democritus Women’s Committee member.
A historical example was raised of Australian manufacturing: General Motors-Holden operated factories where men assembled cars, and factories where women assembled fridges (Frigidaire). The work was largely the same but the women were paid at significant discount.
These speakers were bookended by Democritus League Secretary who emphasised that IWWD is not a celebration of CEOs and other exceptional individuals, but of the grassroots. “Working women do not face a glass ceiling. They face a concrete wall of capitalism.” This wall can only be broken by struggle in concert with working men against a common oppressor – the bosses.
This year Democritus League celebrates its 90th year of Australian operations. A programme of events will be announced through the press. Watch this space.
