As reported last week, the protest movement in Turkey has deep social roots. While the Turkish Prime Minister has now had talks with representatives of the protesters, the week has seen ongoing clashes between the riot police and demonstrators. Over 5,000 protestors are now thought to have been injured. Workers […]
Daily Archives: June 16, 2013
8 posts
Following the catastrophic collapse of the Rana Plaza complex in late April, an inspection team from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology found that at least 10% of the 200 factories they checked were structurally dangerous. As participation in this survey was voluntary, it is expected that the rate […]
With continuing technological advances in the transport, communications and manufacturing sectors, the world economy is becoming increasingly more integrated every day. This can be seen in the effect of the current capitalist crisis on workers around the world. We call this a ‘brutal race to the bottom’. It has become […]
Maruti Suzuki in India is currently promoting itself as an example of Corporate Social Responsibility. It has now teamed up with the Times of India newspaper to proclaim a New India. The reality is that Maruti Suzuki’s repression of its workforce is continuing unabated. While many of the leaders are […]
Iran’s general election for a new president was conducted this week. While there were a number of candidates standing, the reality for workers is that austerity and repression will continue whoever wins. A recently released report stated that over 50% of Iranians now live under the poverty line, with many […]
The great majority of ships that are past their use-by-date end up on beaches in Pakistan, India or Bangladesh to be broken up. In these localities, non existent regulations, low wages and almost no union presence make the task of dismantling these ships very cheap for their owners. On the […]
Since mid April of this year, the Saudi Arabian government initiated a wide ranging crackdown on migrant workers. Faced with a backlash from many industrialists who needed the workforce, it then gave a 90 day amnesty period for workers to regularise their status. This operation has continued to create problems, […]
In Australia the number of workers on short term visas has generated media discussion. ‘Guest workers’ are found in many countries around the world. Many of these workers are very vulnerable due to their precarious residency/legal status. What are the best ways to organise and protect these workers? AAWL General […]