Monthly Archives: April 2015

The situation for workers and human rights activists in Malaysia is becoming less secure as the government is increasingly targeting critics via its Sedition Act. Last year a number of protests were held against a spate of arrests, but earlier this year more people were arrested. Recently, it was the […]

In the years 2012 and 2013, Turkey was the world’s leading jailer of journalists, with 49 and 40 journalists in jail respectively in these two years. While there have been less journalists jailed, the repression against reporters continues with the Turkish President, Erdogan, recently stating that more journalists will face […]

The re-elected Japanese government headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has embarked on a drive to increase Japan’s military might as well as continuing to cut workers’ wages and conditions. This January, thousands of people protested against plans to move and extend US military bases. In early March tens of […]

As witnessed in other countries in West Asia, the involvement of regional and imperialist forces in a situation of civil strife will only lead to greater deaths and despair for workers. This week as the direct result of the aerial bombardment of Yemen by a coalition of Arab countries, at […]

This week, a massive explosion and fire rocked the Rohit Cracker Manufacturing Unit in Gokulapadu, situated in Andhra Pradesh's Vishakapatnam district. The evening blast trapped many workers leaving them no chance to escape. At least 6 workers were killed with another ten badly injured. More bodies may still be found […]

As previously reported, the opening up of the Vietnamese economy to global companies has increased the pressure on Vietnamese unions to protect and advance their members’ rights. This week, up to 90,000 Adidas and Nike workers took to the streets of Ho Chi Minh City in the country’s south to […]

On 4 April racist groups organised 16 anti-Muslim rallies across Australia. In Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart there were counter rallies. In all racist rallies (called Reclaim Australia) fascists were prominent organisers. Melbourne, centre of the Australian labour movement, was their main target: There organised Nazis joined […]

Australian unions won the right to be paid at overtime rates for working outside normal hours, on the week end and on public holidays. There is a concerted push by the Australian Government and capitalist groups to decrease penalty rates. The Australian union movement is campaigning hard to defend them. […]

In an ongoing dispute, Star Chemical Company in South Korea closed down in early 2013. Some workers rejected the termination package and kept on fighting. Cha Gwang-ho decided to climb one of the company’s chimney’s in May 2014. He is still there, see video, after 10 months, having just broken […]

In a judgement handed out this week, an Australian Judge ordered a restaurant who had employed an Indian cook, to pay almost AUS $200,000 in back pay. The cook, Dulo Ram, had been sponsored to Australia under its 457 skilled worker visa system. The judge found that Ram had been […]