Housing Rights Are Workers Rights

One of the largest demonstrations in the ongoing housing crisis took place in Dublin on Saturday. Several thousand people mobilised from across the country to take part in the Community Action Tenants Union of Ireland (CATU) organised event.

Members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) participated in the national demonstration to demand immediate action on public housing, an end to homelessness and the continuing exploitation of tenants.

Many participants highlighted a number of concerns through chants, placards and banners. Issues such as rent levels, build public homes, safe secure homes, which everyone in our community deserves.

A spokesperson for the IWW Ireland Branch spoke following today's action in the capital stating that: "An important aspect to this national demonstration was that many groups helped to highlight the fact that successive governments are to blame for the housing crisis, NOT migrant workers or their families.

"Something that the far-right have tried to use as a convenient scapegoat for their own agenda, and that of successive governments.

“As a union we fully support today's mobilisation, and congratulate CATU for the work their members put into making a success. We echo the call, that there is a need for all workers to be unionised, both at workplace and community levels. In doing so, only then can we effectively begin the fight back as a class. Likewise, we need to continue to stand up against greedy landlords and evictions, as well as the racist lies peddled by those who seek to divide us. That means a greater need from all or us, to support migrant workers and anti-racist actions."