Yearly Archives: 2016

It is a month since 50 Carlton United Brewery (CUB) workers were fired. They were told that they could reapply for their jobs with another company that would then sub-contract to CUB. Their new positions would be on individual contracts, with no job security and reduced pay and conditions. CUB […]

While recent labour news from South Korea have concentrated on the government offensive against labour leaders and their jail sentences (see here and also check out the radio interview), workers’ protests have continued. During late June and early July, major mobilisations by tens of thousands of public sector workers (see […]

As the August date for the constitutional referendum approaches in Thailand, the Military Junta is increasing its repression to any opposition. In a show of force, this week they arrested a number of journalist for having booklets that explained the proposed constitutional changes. The military has basically banned any public […]

Many millions of women throughout India are being progressively integrated into the expanding industrial sectors. A new report focusing on the garment sector shows that many of these women are being subjected to widespread sexual harassment and violence. With a recent push by the Indian government to expand the garment […]

This week, a prominent human right activist, Kem Ley, was murdered in broad daylight in Phnom Penh. This is not the first time that human rights and labour activists have been killed in the recent past. Kem Ley’s murder comes only days after an investigative report uncovered that Prime Minister […]

Last Friday, another massive protest of tens of thousands of working class Iraqis defied government warnings to protest against the sectarianism, nepotism and corruption of the government. The continuing menace of bombings of civilian areas, ongoing war in the north and widespread poverty is fuelling increasing discontent. These protest have […]

A permanent protest camp has been in operation for many months outside Samsung Headquarters in Seoul. Labour and health and safety activists have been protesting against Samsung’s vicious anti-union stance and the appalling health and safety practices that have caused the death of many workers. On the 28 July, a […]

This week, in a stunning attack against the South Korean workers movement, Mr Han Sang-gyun, the President of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), was given a five year jail sentence. Han’s ‘crimes’ were for organising demonstrations. Han has been a tireless fighter for labour rights, spanning his early […]

Last week, one of the remaining workers still in jail following the repression of the Maruti Suzuki workers struggle in 2012, was released on bail. Of the original 148 workers that were arrested, 35 still remain in jail. The campaign by the Maruti Suzuki workers was a watershed struggle for […]

This week, more than 3000 workers from a number of independent unions staged a demonstration as part of a continuing campaign in support of their right to organise without intimidation (see here and here). Since the formation of a new government in the middle of last year, employers have staged […]