Monthly Archives: November 2016

The issue of the systemic and rampant exploitation of migrant workers in Australia was once again exposed this week. A number of farms were exposed using a web of sub-contracting companies to pay workers only a few dollars a day for their work. This exploitation is a result of the […]

Meng Han has become the latest independent labour activist in China to be jailed for organising workers and taking industrial action. Meng was sentenced to 18 months in jail for ‘gathering crowds to disrupt public order’. Meng is the fourth Guangdong labour rights activist to be convicted in two months […]

On the eve of the 5th major protest against government corruption on Saturday the 19th of November, the Malaysian government arrested a number of key activists of the Bersih 5 movement including opposition parliamentarian Tian Chua and Arulchelvan (Arul) from the Malaysian Socialist Party leadership. Bersih 5 main demands are […]

Tuesday the 15th of November was Palestine National Day. This day was chosen 28 years ago to remember that the fight of the Palestinians is a fight against dispossession and occupation and for the creation of their own state. This day was marked around the world with demonstrations and statements […]

In the terrible inferno that followed the explosion inside a beached oil tanker, at least 21 workers at the Gadani, Pakistan shipbreaking yards were killed (see video). Another 60 were injured, some with extensive burns, while up to another 50 workers are unaccounted for. The shipbreaking yards of South Asia […]

The Turkish government offensive against workers is continuing under the guise of eradicating coup plotters. While the attempted coup was in July, tens of thousands of workers have been suspended or sacked from their jobs. Late last month another 10,000 workers, mostly academics, teachers and health workers were dismissed for […]

The strike by thousands of public railway and subway workers in South Korea has now been underway for close to six weeks with no sign of an end in sight. The original issues around precarious work and performance pay are still unresolved. While workers are still strong, negotiations with management […]

The power of workers in our workplaces comes from our ability to organise independently, to discuss issues, and take action to achieve better conditions and wages. All around the world, companies try to harass, divide and suppressany genuine workers’ organisations. Governments, for their part, provide the legal framework and police […]

Chinese coal mines are a recognised danger zone for many workers due to the number of accidents that occur every year. Coal mines are also a huge contributor to Pneumoconiosis, or ‘Black Lung’ disease, a condition that occurs from inhaling excessive fine dust and pollutants, such as coal dust. In […]

Earlier this week, over 1,000 petrol tanker drivers employed by state owned PT Pertamina went on strike in the greater metropolitan region of Jakarta, Indonesia. They are demanding to be hired as permanent employees and not as contractors, an end to unpaid overtime, and an 8 hour limit to the […]