From

From: Sinada

Date: 03 November 2000, 20:53

To: intifada@egroups.com

Subject: All of us are concerned

Dear friends

Salamat,

Everybody of us is concerned with what is happening in our country. Everybody of us aspires to influence the course of political developments in that country for its revival & renaissance what is referred to as building a new Sudan. Towards ever the course of political development is directed whether negotiation or popular uprising, the tasks of the Interim Period remain decisive. This of course does not mean that we in the diaspora have to stop doing our home work competently to support financially, politically & diplomatically the Intifada Forces to gear the course in favour of the popular uprising. In my opinion all Sudanese lists have to focus on the two priorities mentioned above in stead of falling prey to frustration.

I am sure you know the tasks of the interim period ; everybody within his expertise can propose an alternative solution to be discussed in the lists and thereby we help in the democratisation of public activity, the NDA & political parties included.

I as a trade unionist in the professional sector am inclined to define my priorities within this context.

First, the legal framework of the interim period especially as regards employment (Public Employment Act), especially the non-politicisation of the civil service and prohibition of arbitrary dismissal, Industrial Relations Act and especially the issue of privatisation & bankruptcy, other labour laws & their compliance with international law especially in the field of human and trade union rights, Judiciary Act, Acts of the regular armed forces, Higher Education Act. One of the most important acts is Social Security & Social Safety Net. For example Asma & other legal experts can co-ordinate their expertise with the constituencies of trade union activists, academic staff, social workers, army officers, senior civil servants etc. and formulate preliminary documents to be discussed in the lists & later in workshops with the participation of NDA & other political parties leaders so as to gain the political will & consensus.

Second, the problem of the Sudanese brain drain and how to deal with task comprehensively. Pros & cons. This problem has to be discussed frankly in all Sudanese lists and to start with the constraints and to seek the appropriate means to eliminate them, How to eradicate poverty in Sudan, short term, medium & long term so that families will not wholly rely on relatives abroad? Co-operation with the UNDP, other UN agencies and the World Bank to top up salaries of those professionals, who want to work in the Sudan for a short period or long term so as to live decently. The problem of the education of their children etc., etc. Of course listers have their experience and they can enrich the discussion which could be formulated and presented to representative of trade unions & political parties for further action.

A/wahab