Australia Asia Worker Links

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 years in Kwangiu to his later involvement in the Ssangyong factory occupation. Han was jailed for three years for that occupation. This sentence is an attempt by the South Korean government to destroy organised labour in that country. Workers internationally need to support Han. Han Sang-gyun is a working class hero for workers all around the world.

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 workers in the Gurgaon industrial belt around New Delhi. Unfortunately, their fight was defeated under heavy repression from the company and the government (see here and here). A new film by Rahul Roy, titled The Factory, provides an insights into these workers’ lives and the ongoing fight for justice.

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 an unrelenting offensive against unions in the Free Trade Zones of Sri Lanka. Workers have complained that some of them have been attacked, some sexually harassed, while others have been put on precarious employment contracts or dismissed because of their struggle to form unions.

While the recent Federal election in Australia was narrowly won by the current conservative government, the results also saw the election of far right candidates. The One Nation party, led by Pauline Hanson, made a triumphant return to Parliament with a number of Senators being elected. One Nation is based on Islamophobia, anti Asian racism, and nationalism. While some of the protectionist policies of One Nation may appeal to some workers, the reality is that far right parties such as One Nation only serve to divide workers along racial and ethnic grounds. Their policies serve the interests of sections of the capitalist class.

This week, compensation payments to the victims of the fire at the Tazreen Fashion garment factory were finally completed. It has been almost three years since the devastating fire at the Tazreen garment factory claimed the lives of 112 workers. The injured and surviving workers, the relatives of the dead workers, as well as local and international labour activists have had to fight extremely hard to get some semblance of justice and compensation. A summary of the compensation agreement can be read here.

On the last day of June, Jafar Azimzadeh, the Chair of the Free Union of Workers of Iran, ended his two month hunger strike when Iranian authorities granted him special leave. Jafar had been taken to hospital due to his deteriorating health and there were fears that he would be sent back to prison. While Jafar is out of prison and recuperating, he is still facing a new trial. Actions and support by workers inside and outside of Iran were crucial in getting Jafar released. Unfortunately, there are many other labour activists in Iranian jails.

In a world first, in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, a monument is going to be unveiled in Honour of All the Victims of Genocide and Atrocity Crimes. The overwhelming victims of genocides and mass atrocities have always been workers, their families and communities. Such crimes are a weapon of terror against our class. This monument will provide a solemn place to reflect on All Victims, remind us of our common humanity, and strengthen our resolve to prevent such crimes.

Late last month, the Indian government announced a financial assistance package to the garment and textile industry of around US $900 Million. This package is intended to create 10 million new jobs over the next three years. This package also outlines changes to the labour laws which will facilitate the creation of irregular and short term contracts. Given that the garment industry internationally is characterised by a brutal ‘Race to the Bottom’ dynamic, this package will only benefit factory owners at the expense of the lives of these workers. The reality of garment workers in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Cambodia are a stark reminder of the true nature of this industry.

In the last week of June, three women unionists, as well as a number of other activists, were arrested for anti-government activities. The Textile Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation of Thailand has called for all the charges to be dropped. Under Thai’s military dictatorship, people arrested under the various ‘Law and Order’ Acts can face decades in jail. The ongoing repression in Thailand has already seen many activists jailed (see here, here and here).

Another indiscriminate bombing in Istanbul has claimed many lives, this time at Ataturk airport. On 28 June, 41 people were killed and over 200 injured. Many of these were workers at the airport. Over the last 12 months, almost 300 people have been killed in bomb attacks in Turkey. Unions all around the world want a stop to these massacres whose victims are mainly workers and their families. These events are directly related to the ongoing wars in Iraq and Syria where workers are suffering terribly. These conflicts also reveal the inability of the working class movement to intervene in solidarity to stop these slaughters.