Africa

African health worker gap catastrophic

Rob Ray — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:05:50 +0000

It has been revealed that the global shortfall in healthcare professionals has reached four million people – with one million needed in Africa alone. The figures were voiced at the Global Forum on Human Resources for Health, which opened in the Ugandan capital of Kampala on March 3rd.

Damaging uranium mines restart

Rob Ray — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:53:00 +0000

With 349 new nuclear reactors now either under construction, on order or in the early planning stages around the world, the uranium mining industry has been kicking into high gear with a glut of new extractions underway.

National liberation and state power - An anarchist critique of the MPLA in Angola

MalFunction — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:20:16 +0000

INTRODUCTION

Camus, Albert and the anarchists

Battlescarred — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:50:19 +0000

Born in French Algeria into a poor family in 1913, Camus lost his father in the Battle of the Marne in 1916. He was raised by his mother, who worked as a charlady and was illiterate. Winning a scholarship, Camus eventually began a career as a journalist. As a youth, he was a keen footballer as well as being a member of a theatrical troupe.

Morocco: miners from Jbel Awam on trial

JH — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:11:18 +0000

On July 4th 300 workers from the mine at Jbel Awam in the Middle Atlas went on strike to try and improve their working conditions. The management of the Compañía Minera de Touissit (CMT) refused all meetings with the trade unionists, but had the army sent in on successive occasions to stop the strikers paralysing production.

Cameroon: Primary school teachers to strike

jef costello — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:28:24 +0000

The main demands relate to quality of life. Teachers are demanding that their salaries be re-evaluated, in 1992-1993 salaries were lowered by 50-70% and this fall has not been made up. They are also demanding that all salary arrears be paid in full, including payments linked to exams. They have also asked for a housing allowance.

Ivory Coast: Medical strike enters ninth day

jef costello — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:13:14 +0000

The strike was originally called by the Ivory Coast senior medical workers union (Synacass-ci) in relation to yearly pay negotiations. Currently a doctor receives a salary of 173000 CFA Francs (£180), the Ivory coast is suffering from major price increases, especially of staples. For example the price of 12kg of cooking gas has risen from 3500 CFA Francs to between 4500 and 5000.

Morocco: Striking miners arrested at Jbel Awam

JH — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:18:50 +0000

Auxiliary forces and the royal gendarmerie arrived at 4am and used violence to disperse the men, women and children camped outside the mine. 29 workers were arrested and taken to the gendarmerie headquarters in Mrirt. Families and friends of those arrested have been gathered in front of the headquarters since Wednesday, demanding their release.

Sénégal: entire workforce fired for wildcat strike

jef costello — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:07:54 +0000

Workers arrived at the factory gates this morning to find this notice:

"Management informs the entire staff, both permanent and contract staff that, following the ilegal strike action which paralysed the company, a collective dismissal has been decided upon. Dismissal letters have been passed to human resources."

France: petrol workers win bonus

jef costello — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:43:21 +0000

The management of the SRPP (Reunion petroleum products company) gave into the workers demands after less than 24 hours. Workers won a shift bonus, which is approximately equivalent to an 8% salary increase.