Worked to death - Bangladeshi garment workers take to the streets after workmate dies
Submitted by Red Marriott on Jan 4 2008 00:22
On Wednesday (2nd Jan) this week several thousand garment workers from around 20 factories completely blocked a main highway from 8am to 5 pm in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh.
The action began when factory bosses locked out workers from SQ Sweaters Ltd in the Sheorapara area of the city; the lockout was in response to protests on the previous two nights when workers allegedly refused to work, seized management officials and held them hostage in the factory.
China: Workers in Guangdong attacked for asking to be paid
Submitted by jef costello on Jul 3 2007 00:03
Construction workers building a dam near Heyuan, were attacked after demanding payment, having gone four months without wages.
Some 300-400 workers at the site, currently building a hydro-electric power station, went on strike last Friday in protest at the massive wage arrears. Some 200 hired thugs then attacked the workers. Lei Mingzhong, is reported to be in a coma and brain dead and acccording to doctors has no chance of recovery. Many other workers were injured in the clashes.
Senegal: seven teachers injured by police
Submitted by jef costello on May 19 2007 13:01
The teachers were on the way home from a general meeting that had been held in the state capital Ziguinchor when they were attacked by police.
The teachers who are currently involved in a dispute over pay and conditions had asked for authorisation for a march. This request was denied by the state governor. The teachers met in the town and held a general assembly (AG) they agreed on a protest motion that was to be passed to the governor but he refused to enter into any contact with them.
Water, energy and crisis in Bangladesh
Submitted by Red Marriott on May 7 2007 20:16
How water and electricity scarcity impacts on life and politics. Plus a brief look at the ongoing governmental crisis.
Quote:
The administration of most essential public utilities specially water and electricity is in serious jeopardy in the capital [Dhaka], causing untold suffering to the city dwellers.
The erratic power supply leads to disruption to smooth water supply to the city dwellers who are reeling from power and water crisis during the ongoing dry season.
DUck and cover - the continuing dangers of Depleted Uranium
Submitted by Freedom on Mar 23 2006 13:33
Our exposure to Depleted Uranium is posing a danger that is being wilfully downplayed and ignored. John Couzin investigates
A new report has found that during the ‘Shock and Awe’ campaign in Iraq, radiation levels in Britain quadrupled, leading to fears that Depleted Uranium weapons used in the desert state may have affected most of Europe.
GI opposition to the Vietnam War, 1965-1973 - Howard Zinn
Submitted by libcom on Feb 22 2006 11:40
Historian Howard Zinn on the opposition to the Vietnam War by American soldiers. For a fuller introduction we recommend our article 1961-1973: GI Resistance in the Vietnam War
[2,200 words]
Armed forces rank and file demand union
Submitted by libcom on Jan 29 2006 13:33
Amidst equipment shortages and failures, the rash of court martials in Iraq, misgivings over new deployments of 4000 troops to Afghanistan in the spring, bullying, and the fall in recruitment and retention of soldiers, rank-and-file members of the Armed Forces have started calling for a union.
As well as the discontent within regular soldiers, part-timers in the Territorial Army, due to differences in contract, have often stayed in Iraq longer than their full-time counterparts due to shortages of personnel. Many have been on active duty for more than 6 months, and in some cases been sacked by their employers upon their return, with only £1000 fine the maximum penalty for employers.
Mutiny in Banja Luka, Bosnia - ICG
Submitted by libcom on Jan 11 2006 16:59
As our text on the war in Yugoslavia and the struggles taken up by the proletariat against the permanent degradation of their conditions of life went to press mutinies broke out in certain sectors of the Serbian army, confirming that even in the worst situation of counter-revolution our class continues to be the only viable alternative to the horrors of capitalism.
From Communism #9, September 1993
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1968-1972: Harass the Brass: Some notes toward the subversion of the US armed forces
Submitted by libcom on Nov 22 2005 12:26
With updates in 2001, this article outlines the story of the widespread resistance and near-mutiny within the US Army, Navy and Air Force during the Vietnam War. This resistance was a major factor in the eventual withdrawal of US troops.
1963-1974: The Olive-Drab Rebels: Military Organising During The Vietnam Era by Matthew Rinaldi
Submitted by libcom on Nov 22 2005 12:18
This article is a detailed account of soldiers' and sailors' resistance to the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s.
It particularly concentrates on the organising efforts of left-wing groups both civilian and within the military.
For a more general overview of resistance, we recommend our article GI Resistance in the Vietnam War, 1961-1973.
Introduction
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