Sunday, February 9, 2014

Workers in Iraq fight for the right to organise

As reported previously, Iraqi oil workers have been at the forefront of the fight by workers in Iraq against repression and exploitation. With the ongoing armed conflict in the country, it is workers who often pay the price. Nevertheless, the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions, in conjunction with other Iraqi trade unions, is pressuring the government to legislate for the right to bargain collectively

Fijian union leaders released after international campaign

On the 9th of January, six union leaders from the National Union of Hospitality Catering and Tourism Industries were arrested for an illegal strike.  The strike was at the Sheraton Fiji Resort and Westin Denarau Island Resort and Spa (both owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.) in Narewa village, Fiji. Workers were protesting against the removal of their benefits. This is not the first time that unions have been targeted in Fiji. Fortunately, this time, on the 2nd of February the charges against all defendants were dropped.
source:::http://www.aawl.org.au

Car workers fight back and win in India

After a bitter strike lasting 59 days, the workers at Autofit factory, Dharuhera, Haryana state have won their fight against union busting. The company has agreed to take back all 17 sacked union activists as well as agreeing to a wage rise. The important character of the strike was the unity between contract and permanent workers. Many similar strikes are happening in the Gurgaon industrial region near New Delhi. This area came to prominence with the major struggle of the Maruti Suzuki workersof a couple of years ago. Over 100 workers are still in jail from this dispute, but the fight for justice and their release has not finished. Internationally, the car industry is experiencing many struggles and disputes.
source:::http://www.aawl.org.au