NEWS RELEASE 10 January 2005 For immediate release
STUC sends solidarity message to South East Asian Trade Unions and urges Scottish Workers to support TUC Tsunami Appeal. The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has sent messages of condolence and solidarity to some of the trade union centres in South East Asia that represent people affected by the recent earthquakes and tsunamis. The STUC is also urging its affiliates in Scotland to support the fundraising efforts, in particular the TUC's Aid Tsunami Appeal which will ensure funds go to the International Confederation of Free Trade Union's Asian Pacific Regional Organisation to assist trade union victims and their families.
Speaking today STUC Assistant Secretary Mary Senior said:
"The STUC wanted to express its deepest sympathies and condolences to trade unionists and working people in South East Asia who have been affected by the Tsunami, so we have written directly to some of the trade union organisations in Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India. All we can do is to send our wishes of solidarity and condolence, and assure them that we are thinking of them, and are urging all trade unionists and working people in Scotland to continue to donate, and in particular to support the TUC's Aid Tsunami Appeal".
"The terrible levels of death, loss and devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunamis in South East Asia on 26 December 2004 have shocked and saddened everyone around the world. It is difficult for us to comprehend the destruction to people lives, families, homes, workplaces and livelihoods. The STUC sincerely hopes that the aid and funds being raised throughout the world will go some way to rebuilding the lives, homes and industries that have been destroyed".
Donations to the TUC appeal can be made at the following web page
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-9205-f0.cfm
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