Yearly Archives: 2017

Two separate labour issues highlight the pressures that workers in Japan face from their employers. A number of labour activists have been targeted by the global logistics company, Toll LTD., for their organising drive against unpaid overtime that forces drives to regularly work excessive hours. In a separate sector of […]

Over three days starting from 9 November, tens of thousands of workers staged a series of mass sit-ins and protests in the Indian capital city of New Delhi. It has been over three years that the current Government headed by Prime Minister Modi has been in power, and the situation […]

Since starting to take action in May of this year at the giant Freeport Grasberg gold and copper mine in West Papua, thousands of workers have been fired from their jobs. This harsh response by the company shows their determination to maintain the huge profits from this mine by keeping […]

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 […]