Asia
China: explosion kills 15 coal miners
At least 15 workers have been killed after an explosion in a coal mine in the northern province of Shanxi.
The horrendous safety record of chinese mines, as reported previously on libcom, results in around 5000 reported deaths a year. This April was particularly bloody with a a total of 80 workers reported killed or missing in accidents.
The Chinese mining industry - cheaper lives mean cheaper coal; so Australian bosses threaten relocation
Last week the Chinese media reported that on average one mining accident every week is being covered up by management.
Quote:
[i]Those responsible for safety had sabotaged scenes, destroyed evidence and moved bodies, Xinhua News Agency quoted Li Yizhong, head of the State Administration of Work Safety, as saying, adding that most had been brought to justice.
In one 10-day period last month, 72 people were killed in four separate accidents.
Bangladesh: Strikes, clashes and party leaders to be exiled?
Following on from our previous report, workers at the four Khulna jute mills were locked out by bosses last week.
The lockout occurred in the south-west of the country on Thursday 20 April, following a week of strikes and demonstrations demanding payment of wage arrears and holiday allowances.
On Bangladesh today and tomorrow
After six months of effective martial law and widespread political purges imposed by military anti-corruption squads under the caretaker government, we now begin to hear reports of class struggle reappearing.
Much of last year was spent in conflict between the two main parties, the Bangladesh National Party (NBP) and the Awami League (AL), as they squabbled over the details of rules and procedures for the General Election. In an apparent bid to end the stalemate, and the increasing social instability it brought, a caretaker government was put in place in January 2007.
Vietnam: 700 garment workers wildcat
Over 700 workers staged a wildcat strike Wednesday at a Taiwanese-owned garment company in central Vietnam demanding better payments and welfare.
The Thanh Nien Daily reports that at a mediation meeting later the workers of Quinmax International Company, Thua Thien-Hue province, were not impressed by Taiwanese director Xu Yun Ping’s promise to meet their demands in two weeks.
Gurgaon workers news #2 - April 2007
Articles on strikes, a commuter riot, Special Economic Zones and more from the boom region of Gurgaon, India.
Gurgaon Workers News - Newsletter 2 (April 2007)
Workers News from the Special Exploitation Zone
China: hundreds block railway line in benefits protest
Residents of Guixi in the Jiangxi province were angry at government plans which would see their wages and benefits cut.
The plans involve placing Guixi under the jurisdiction of the neighbouring district, which may mean a lowering of benefits and state wages for Guixi residents. Protestors blocked two rail connections for around six hours, including the heavily traveled line that runs from Shanghai in the east, cutting through Jiangxi to the southwestern city of Kunming.
India: General strike called after 14 protesters killed.
In the Indian state of West Bengal a general strike was called after 14 protesters were killed on Wednesday. The demonstration was against the creation of a 'special economic zone'* in the region.
Violence erupted when some 4000 police and paramilitary police tried to evict protesters from the village of Nandigram and it's surroundings and to destroy the barricades the villagers had erected to prevent the arrival of state contractors.
Vietnam: More wildcat strikes hit manufacturing
After 3,000 furniture workers struck on Monday, thousands more walked out over low wages.
Thanhniennews.com reported that over 4,000 workers walked out over low pay Monday at four foreign companies in the southern Vietnamese province of Dong Nai and as of yesterday were continuing to strike work at three of the firms.
India: Car plant workers wildcat strike
Car manufacturing workers at Hindustan Motors in India walked out on Monday.
One of the five registered trade unions at the company engaged in an unannounced stoppage and disrupted normal operations at the company's Uttarpara Plant on March 12 2007.
