Productive Workers’ Army: The Battle for Socialism

The Productive Workers’ Army (EPO) was victorious in its 14th battle: two elevators (more than 3 years out of service), air conditioning, the electrical generator, the water pump, four vehicles and the lighting system were recovered and put back to work in the National Institute of Tourism and the Ministry of Popular Power for Tourism, located in Caracas.

Over 30 men and women, workers from different companies, factories, institutions and organizations from across the country, formed the vanguard platoon in this productive battle.

Their biggest feat this time: turning the air conditioning systems back on. During the seven days that the battle lasted, the two air conditioning machines were the hardest to fix and get back up and running. A malfunction in the equipment’s computerized system made the task even harder. But in the end, like with all other tasks, they succeeded.

The men and women who make up the Productive Workers’ Army see themselves as a social movement, and furthermore as a vital component of the Venezuelan working class.

They espouse the idea that voluntary work is the highest form of solidarity one can find in the workers’ movement, but especially that voluntary work is an indispensable tool to fight back against the economic war. The EPO looks to maintain and recover the means of production under social property, using Venezuelan talent, for the good of Venezuelans, thus rescuing national production and, furthermore, putting into practice a true mechanism of resistance and counter attack against imperialism.

Over the years, the Productive Workers’ Army has waged 13 battles, 12 of which in companies dedicated to oil, natural gas, food production, among other areas. They also had an important battle in El Maizal Commune, in Lara State, this past February.

The EPO is always looking to have other workers throughout the country join the project, stressing the vital role that labor has to play for Venezuela to recover and move forward.

Between a flawless discipline, joy and an unstoppable sense of humor, and an effort that begins very early and ends very late, these comrades worked toward the recovery of INATUR (National Institute of Tourism), but they also studied, fine tuned their organization, debated the importance of communicational work, built their collective identity. In all, they held an endless number of activities that allowed them to forge their battle, plan the steps ahead and set their targets, goals, strategies and tactics.

They leave behind a host of lessons, friends, proposals and pending invitations from other institutions, organizations, companies and workers. When they arrive for their battles there are many who don’t believe them, many call them crazy, others attack them, but after long days of exemplary work, everything starts to change. In the end, all they have are admirers, comrades, followers and allies to continue waging battles against indifference, reformism, imperialism and capitalism.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Venezuelanalysis editorial staff.