Yearly Archives: 2012

Textile workers not only face low wages and long working hours, but in Bangladesh, they also face an increased risk of fires in their workplace. Over the last two years major industrial struggles by workers have managed to secure some improvements in their wages and conditions. Responding to this pressure, […]

The International Federation of Journalists have called on Thai officials to release Somyot Pruksakasemsuk who has been in jail since April 2011 on lèse majesté charges. The trial, which officially begins on April 18 has so far put 50 year old Somyot under great physical and psychological pressure. The court […]

The Ittehad Labour Union Carpet Industries began a living wage campaign for carpet workers in Lahore at the beginning of 2012. On the 12th of March, a majority of carpet workers went out on a co-ordinated strike. By the end of the week, carpet workers had won the largest ever […]

After a campaign lasting seven years, the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) has finally been abolished. Many workers were interrogated and charged by this draconian body, but union support meant that none was ever found guilty. While the ABCC has been abolished, workers in Australia still face Fair Work […]

Abdolreza Ghanbari, a 44-year-old lecturer of Payam e Nour University, has been detained since January 2010. Abdolreza was active in his union, the ITTA, until this was dissolved in 2007. He is one of many workers in Iran who are in prison because of their trade union activity. Abdolreza has […]

Ongoing social conflict in countries in West Asia is having a negative effect on workers rights in the region, click here and here. Migrant workers are particularly vulnerable because of their temporary status in the host country, and their lesser knowledge of the laws and language of the country in […]

As reported in a previous news item, workers in New Zealand are facing increasing attacks by the capitalists. The Talley’s/AFFCO company has locked out 1,000 meat workers in an attempt to force them to accept changes to their collective agreement. This will allow the company to impose individual contracts on […]

Since the defeat of the LTTE (the Tamil Tigers) by the Sri Lankan army in mid 2009, many workers had hoped a new period of peace would return to the island. Contrary to these expectations, the government of Pres Rajapaksa has unleashed a growing wave of repression against all opponents. […]

In the middle of last year, workers at the auto engine component factory Yoosung went on strike to protest against the abolishing of night shift classification. A solidarity rally organised by the KCTU was held in support of the striking workers. This rally was attacked by the police and many […]

The daily minimum wage of garment workers in the state of Haryana, India is only about US$3.50, with women often receiving less. Workers wages are reduced even further by ‘deductions’, such as for social security insurance, which the workers never see again. A local organisation is campaigning to stop the […]