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Sustainability |
Education
Foundation is operating two of its main endeavors without Swedish economic
support, since January 2000, namely The Weekly Workers' Struggle and
Pakistan Trade Unions Resource Centre- PTURC.
The Workers' Struggle has mainly survived because of various campaigns
launched by the Foundation, including subscription and donations.
From its first issue published in 1980 until 1993, when the Olof Palme
International Center started to support the paper, it had been printed
without subsidies, but by raising funds from individuals and by selling
the paper.
PTURC has been able to continue its operations by combining commercial
printing work with mainly non-commercial trade union printing work, as
planned from the beginning.
Apparently, trade unions are not organised to raise funds in a proper
manner, but rather collecting money on an ad hoc-basis, when the need
arises, e.g. In an emergency situation when a demonstration has been
decided upon and there is a need to print posters or pamphlets Hence, it
was extremely difficult for Education Foundation to collect funds on a
regular basis from trade unions.
In the mid nineties, Education Foundation realized it had the illusion
that it would be possible to operate Unions' Schools for Working Children
by raising the consciousness of trade unions to donate funds. However, a
continued economic crisis in the country with less income for workers led
to more unemployment and decreased trade union membership. Hence, it
became more and more difficult for trade unions to survive on present
limited financial resources. The only option felt by many was to raise
additional funds from members. Trade union member organisations were
supporting Education Foundation economically by purchasing the Workers'
Struggle, and by bringing business to PTURC. In 1999, it was felt that it
is not be feasible that the Foundation's member organisations would be
able financially to contribute to the operations of Unions' Schools for
Working Children. Hence, the Unions' Schools for Working Children
terminate its operation from June 2000. |
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