Africa
After ten years of GEAR: COSATU, the Zuma trial and the dead end of alliance politics
An analysis from the ZACF journal Zabalaza #7 of the African National Congress (ANC)'s neo-liberal Growth Employment And Redistribution (GEAR) policy and its relation to the ANC-aligned Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).
Lost in Transit
Unprecedented strike wave sweeps Egypt
A wave of unprecedented strikes by disgruntled workers has swept Egypt this week.
The atmosphere at the mammoth Factory No 1 belonging to the Misr Shebin Al-Kom Spinning and Weaving Company (SSWC) in the Delta is glum. The din of roaring machines at the 47-year-old factory is no more, after someone flicked the shut down button last week for the first time in nearly half a century.
Cape Town: Community condemns police arrests of shack dweller youths
The shack dwellers of Civic Road near Parkwood, Cape Town, are angered that youth from the shacks are being subjected to repeated police harassment and arrests by the Grassy Park SAPS.
The Civic Road residents have joined the Zille Rain Heights residents in opposing the city council’s bid to forcibly remove them to Happy Valley, 40 kms away.
23 dead in continued clashes in Guinea strike
23 people have been reported dead after further clashes between striking workers and goverment forces in Guinea.
After a day of violence on Saturday which left at least 23 people dead the union coalition which called for the original indefinite strike has added the demand that the President, Nasana Conte, resign as well.
Guinean general strike ends
Guinean unions have called off a general strike that has crippled the nation and led to deadly clashes, after a deal was reached with the government.
Nearly 60 people have died in protests since the strike was called on 10 January to demand government reforms. President Lansana Conte agreed on Friday to cede some powers to a prime minister who would head the government. On Saturday the unions said the president's concessions were sufficient for them to end the strike.
Guinea: Police clash with general strike
Security forces in Guinea have fired live rounds, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters on the sixth day of a national strike.
Youths destroyed cars and blocked streets using burning tyres and debris, after public rallies were banned. Unions called the strike over the high cost of living and to protest after President Lansana Conte allegedly freed two prominent corruption suspects. Most shops, offices and markets are closed, with no public transport.
Wildcat strikes hit Zimbabwe
Wildcat strikes for better pay that have hit Zimbabwe could trigger wider work boycotts and spontaneous street protests, escalating political tensions in the crisis-hit country, analysts said on Monday.
Opposition attempts to organise peaceful demonstrations against President Robert Mugabe's government -- largely blamed for a deep economic crisis -- have failed so far, leaving analysts asking if Zimbabweans are afraid to face their leaders.
Interview with southern African anarchists, 2006
A detailed and interesting interview between Black Flag magazine and members of the South African Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Federation covering their organisation, and the situation for workers in South Africa at present.
First, perhaps you could say something about yourself and the organisation you are part of?
South African platinum industry halted by two major strikes, 2004
Very short article on two South African metal workers strikes.
South African public service strike - September 2004
Very short account of a strike over pay of 800,000 South African public-sector workers.
