India
One worker killed as security guards attack Indian diamond workers strike
Violence rocked India's diamond capital Gujarat last Sunday as at least 40,000 angry workers who have been demanding better pay for a while, attacked small factories and homes of their owners.
The security guards hit back and one person died while others were injured in the firing. Workers are demanding a 20 per cent raise. Currently, they are paid anywhere between 15-25 Rupees per diamond which they say is inadequate in these times of skyrocketing prices.
Indian construction workers wildcat
Eighteen contract labourers in a Haldia Petro unit went on a wildcat strike today after the agency that contracted them allegedly failed to clear their dues.
The workers at the poly poplin unit began the strike at 2pm. Subrata Panda, the owner of Eco Service, the agency that had appointed them, met Citu (Centre of Indian Trade Unions - trade union federation attached to the Communist Party) leaders but in vain. Management sources, however, claimed said the impact of the strike was not felt on the company’s production.
Airport staff on strike
Strike action continues in Ireland, as airport workers threaten a national strike in India.
Air traffic controllers in Ireland have voted for 24-hour strikes this Thursday after several weeks of unofficial overtime ban. The strike, organised by the Balpa union, is likely to ground flights at all three airports.
India: Mumbai taxi drivers strike against violence
Taxi drivers in Mumbai launched the wildcat on Thursday after the offices of the Bombay Taxi Union were attacked.
The strike which involved most of Mumbai's 55,000 taxi drivers was called off after two hours, after ministers made assurances over security. State home secretary Chitkala Zutshi also attempted to downplay the violence: "All miscreants will be dealt with severely. We mean to maintain law and order.
Lionbridge: globalizing low wages
In December 2007, a trade-union called “Krajowa Federacja Pracownikow (KFP)” (Worker’s Federation) was formed in Lionbridge Poland, a subsidiary of Lionbridge Technologies, a US-based multinational with subsidiaries all over the world.
Lionbridge specializes in translations and adapting products to local markets (so called “globalization services”). Lionbridge is one of many US-based companies which move jobs from the US to countries with lower wages and working standards.
Maoism in South Asia - Republican Nepal & Indian Naxalites
A brief look at the recent activities of Maoists in Nepal and India.
Under pressure from the Maoists, the government has finally declared that Nepal will become a republic. For several months the political process towards elections has been stalled in Nepal.
India: Wildcat strike following docks death
Ships were stranded at India's Haldia port after the workers walked out following the death of a colleague.
The death, ironically, came at a time when the port trust is observing a ‘Dock Safety Week’.
Indian airlines hit by wildcat strike
Tens of thousands had flights cancelled as workers at the Indian state-owned airline walked out over wages in arrears.
Indiaenews.com reported that employees of Indian airlines went on a snap strike over pay with union chiefs vowing to continue the stir until their demands are met.
Across the country, the industrial action crippled air services, forcing passengers to either cancel their flights or sweat it out - in blistering heat in some cities - waiting for a delayed departure.
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
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.
