Monthly Archives: November 2017

For the 47th anniversary of the suicide of labour activist Jeon Tae-il, the Korean labour movement staged a massive rally in central Seoul on Saturday, November 12. At least 50,000 workers took part in this rally, organised by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions to demand higher wages, better conditions […]

In Thailand, the most repressive law that all activists face is Article 112, or commonly referred to as the Lese Majeste law. This law criminalises any alleged, implied or indirect criticism of the Thai Royal Family and any of their interests with jail terms of over 10 years. Many activists […]

Workers and labour activists in many countries took action on November 16 to mark the Global Day of Action against Trade Union Repression. Pictures of events can be seen here. This is the fourth year that workers internationally have taken co-ordinated action against trade union repression. The day commemorates all […]

Following Australia and Papua New Guinea’s decision to close the Manus concentration camp leaving around 600 refugees in limbo, protests have erupted in both countries. The refugees themselves have been holding an indefinite sit in protest. The PNG government has threatened to use force against them. In Australia ongoing protests […]

In recent weeks, shoppers in Istanbul found notes in their newly bought Zara brand clothes that complained that workers who produced these clothes had not been paid. The issue dates back to earlier this year when the Bravo Tekstil factory in Istanbul suddenly closed down leaving around 140 workers being […]

This week, the main opposition party in Cambodia, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was dissolved by that country’s High Court. This move has effectively ensured that the current Government, headed by Hun Sen, will win next year’s elections. This ruling comes on the back of previous arrests and repression of […]

At least 30 maintenance workers were killed on Wednesday 1 November when a boiler at the Unchar thermal power plant, in Uttar Pradesh, India suddenly exploded. Eye witness reports indicate that the escaping gas and steam were so hot they would have melted many of the workers. Another 100 workers […]

Long-time labour activist Mahmoud Salehi, has been transferred from his jail cell to a regional hospital with failing heart and kidney functions. Mahmoud is in grave danger of dying if not transferred to a better hospital.  In the meantime, Reza Shahabi, another labour activists serving time in jail, has released […]

A recent report jointly produced by the Hanoi-based Research Centre for Gender, Family and Environment in Development (CGFED) and the Swedish IPEN Centre, has condemned Samsung Electronics’ health and safety performance in their factories in Vietnam. Samsung has been expanding its production facilities in Vietnam due to the lower costs […]

Around 150,000 teachers in Yemen are believed to have gone on strike to demand payment of unpaid wages. Some teachers have not been paid since October 2016. This strike is the direct result of the brutal Saudi led invasion of the country in the last two years. The conflict shows […]