text: countries with extensive economic links to South Africa are beginning to reassesstheir t,ies with apartheid. This is due to tbe pressure of public opinion in their own counCries, to growing doubts about the future return on their investments and increasingly effective opposition to apartheid in South Africa. Yet, conservativepolitical leaders have not reacted to these realities. Now is the tine to step up the international pressure against apartheid by governmental and further trade union action. 2. The fnternational Confederat,ion of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and its affiliat,es are proud to be in the forefront of tlre campaign against apartheid. welcome the recent upsurge in international ahrareness of the evil nature ofWeA/40/465/Add.r English Page 15 apartheid, an upsurge which is in part due to the campaigning srork of the free traae unions over many years. fn the fight against apartheid, fCFTUrs distinctive contribution is emphasis on assisting the development of a strong independent black trade union movement in South Africa. The key importance of democratic trade union organizations in the freedom struggle is now apparent to all. As was stated in the recently updated ICFTU Programme of Action, the growth and strenqthening of the independent black trade union movement is the single most effective measure for the reprlssed majority in South Africa to gain freedom and justice and to abolish apartheid. This convinction will continue to be at the centre of the ICFTU campaign against apartheid. Apartheid is an entrenched system of racial discrimination and economic exploitation which is based on a number of key pieces of Legislation, backed up by the administrative por.rers of the Government,. Ending aparttreid neans majority rule in an undivided society. 3. The existence of the South Africa r6gime depends on apartheid. It will not end it. Diplomacy has failed to get across the abhorrence felt by people a1l over the world against the repression of the black majority. ICFTU is therefore
analysis: The text primarily discusses the international pressure and actions against apartheid in South Africa, focusing on the role of trade unions and the need for stronger measures to end the system. The economic links and investments of other countries in South Africa are also mentioned, indicating that the issue has economic implications. The text does not explicitly discuss other topics such as natural resources, environment, education, health, or humanitarian aid, but it does touch on the theme of employment (trade unions) and international relations.