Workers' struggles in Asia (February 2011)

With protests continuing to spread in the Middle East and North Africa, it was inevitable that the western media would start speculating about it spreading to China. Certainly the events there have not gone unwatched in China - there has been a song about it (http://t.co/YHQ6NcY), leaflets handed out about it (http://t.co/wOf7qLM) and of course the mysterious calls for a 'Jasmine Revolution' (http://bit.ly/htfM4n - lots more links below). However, so far the latter has only brought out huge numbers of police and foreign reporters, so it is probably too early to expect things to really kick off.

On the other hand, there have been a couple of reports of the usual disturbances this month. Villagers in Guangxi besieged township offices, smashing police cars (http://t.co/99ibJYn), while in Shenzhen striking bus workers clashed with police (http://t.co/BJtSR3w). Reports are that the state has been tightening the flow of information more than usual, so it is possible there were more incidents that haven't been reported.

North Korea has also apparently seen some protests (http://bit.ly/gW2boT, http://bit.ly/fqRamk) though information from there is even harder to come by, so how widespread or serious they were remains to be seen. Though since the madness of leaders there only really had an equal in Gaddafi, who knows? And the other "Communist" dictatorship bordering China, Vietnam, has also had murmurings: a strike at motorcycle factory (http://bit.ly/e2VJMd), a protest in Hanoi (http://bit.ly/dSuNwx) and in (probably unintentional) echoes of the event that sparked the Tunisian uprising, a self-immolation to protest corruption (http://bit.ly/fHyHEf). Even Burma has not been quiet, with a successful strike (http://t.co/cbDKpDh), and another strike at a deep-sea port (http://t.co/cVSp4Zp).

People in Malaysia were also following the protests in Egypt, police firing water cannons at an anti-Mubarak rally the (http://t.co/CqcUcP3). South Korea also held solidarity demonstrations (http://t.co/qReomuf). Other developments there include repression against the Migrants Trade Union (http://bit.ly/gZnxIE), a strike at a bank (http://t.co/BPZax4D), protests against pizza delivery deadlines (http://t.co/XIFoHC0 , http://bit.ly/hYQACF , http://bit.ly/gM6Zzi) protests over wages of cleaning workers at the courts (http://bit.ly/ifBvO0), and an end to the Hongik University sit-in (http://bit.ly/gaGI5T)

Indonesians have also been busy with protests (http://t.co/LgPkTCk, http://t.co/EgfWs6G, http://t.co/PXMWksq, http://t.co/Ge9kXXS) and a strike (http://t.co/eZWq9sv), as have Cambodians (http://t.co/PvW7bg9, http://bit.ly/ihHOYE, http://bit.ly/fAK7O5, http://bit.ly/eLqO6a), Filipinos (http://t.co/PebwHXk, http://bit.ly/dEZPkl) and Thais (http://t.co/FfaFeiS, http://t.co/Rz2RIH7, http://bit.ly/foBhgV). For links to more happenings in Asia, scroll on down...

libcom articles

First there is the rest of the [i]Libero International archive which I finished posting to the library:
Libero International No.3
Libero International No.4
Libero International No.5 (September 1978)
Libero International No.6 (March 1980)
Bakunin, Yokohama, and the dawning of the Pacific era

Steven. posted an article that can be read in conjunction with issue 3:A radical group in Hong Kong

And finally there is the following interview:Dimensions of Chinese Anarchism: An Interview with Arif Dirlik

WSWS Asia Summaries

Workers Struggles: 5th of February http://t.co/wPc35Vj
Workers Struggles: 12th of February http://t.co/X3rTudG
Workers Struggles: 19th of February http://t.co/tpLHlK2
Workers Struggles: 26th of February http://bit.ly/hzvKDS

Burma/Myanmar

10: Employers bow to strikers’ demands http://t.co/cbDKpDh
16: Tavoy Deep-sea Port Workers Strike http://t.co/cVSp4Zp

Cambodia

8: Lake residents to demonstrate http://t.co/e5LaBOb
14: Svay Rieng villagers stop farm clearing http://t.co/hNkzjrq
15: Workers at Koh Pich demand better wages http://t.co/PvW7bg9
17: Garment workers back on job http://t.co/PF218yb , http://t.co/8pr0iuQ
22: Garment benefit talks held http://bit.ly/ecYoka
23: Villagers defy officials to stage protest http://bit.ly/ihHOYE
24: Religion dept: Workers say they are not getting paid http://bit.ly/f8A4tJ
24: Garment workers protest http://bit.ly/fAK7O5
24: Land dispute: Protests grow in Prey Lang http://bit.ly/eLqO6a

China

1: Latest Directives From the Ministry of Truth, January 2-28 http://t.co/I6p392X
1: Family and employer reach pact after worker's death http://t.co/DtmO21y
1: China prioritises raising living standards in Year of the Rabbit http://t.co/tEmwtIW
2: Campaigner Detained in Beijing http://t.co/JVFnuBj
3: Chinese regime fears “Egyptization” http://t.co/3Jhd0lv
3: Chinese Regime Bans New Year Scrolls http://t.co/WkzP91V
4: The Other Side of New Year http://t.co/Ucac6BE
5: The fear of “Nile fever” in China http://t.co/dMW0Cbo
5: Book review: When a Billion Chinese Jump http://t.co/HphjFGH
7: Egypt-Type Revolt 'Unlikely' in China http://t.co/3kucBi9
7: Growing Unease at China’s Role in Africa http://t.co/kq0ifjl
7: Is the future of microblogging in China really so bright? http://t.co/Z719rqo
8: Stemming the Tide of Complaints http://t.co/kIJGb60
9: China IS Discussing Egypt: Reactions from the Chinese Blogosphere http://t.co/SYttukz
10: Comparison of World Wages Shows Extreme Wealth Inequality in China http://t.co/RMosdIT
11: Blind Activist, Wife Beaten http://t.co/GiP5BKk , http://t.co/ThObIx7 , http://t.co/XiWiivU
11: China police stop spread of Egypt news: Activist http://t.co/zHcin17
11: Macau: Labour disputes drop Lawmaker to push for union law http://t.co/4oauyzy
12: Chinese villagers besiege Guangxi township offices, smash police cars http://t.co/99ibJYn
12: China’s Farmers Without Farms May Threaten Regime http://t.co/pWXbJA8
A farmer defends his land with homemade weapons last year

14: Chinese government and media highlight HBV employment discrimination http://bit.ly/ec9shY
15: Former steel workers battle industrial goliath http://t.co/ukxiL89
15: Latest Directives From the Ministry of Truth, February 10-15, 2011 http://bit.ly/hasUQG
16: Shenzhen bus workers clash with police http://t.co/BJtSR3w
17: Teachers Detained Over Protest http://t.co/Bgevm7t
18: China Deletes Egypt Song http://t.co/YHQ6NcY
18: Activists in China Resist Police's Demand to Stop Hand Out Pamphlets http://t.co/wOf7qLM
20: The Secret Politburo Meeting Behind China’s New Democracy Crackdown http://bit.ly/i7ReyI
20: China acts to stamp out call for 'Jasmine Revolution' likely inspired by Egyptian protests http://bit.ly/gefOtX, http://bit.ly/fILKOd, http://on.wsj.com/fxyZjO, http://bit.ly/h0Uua7, http://bit.ly/h0pvU4, http://bit.ly/fa2fH9, http://nydn.us/fZUwV8, http://reut.rs/hYjkgn, http://wapo.st/fA3Xm9, http://lat.ms/f1Mgt3, http://bit.ly/gYFBf0, http://bit.ly/hMnd9w, http://bit.ly/g6c5f6, http://bit.ly/hrNDCa, http://bit.ly/dI8tSd, http://bit.ly/htfM4n
21: New Generation of Migrant Workers Earn an Average of 1,747 Yuan a Month http://bit.ly/eW92jX, http://bit.ly/i8W9K5
21: Hu calls for stronger web controls http://bit.ly/epAJDm
22: Workers Sickened at Apple Supplier in China http://nyti.ms/hvAaJS
22: Microblogging in China and Egypt: Two Views http://bit.ly/gi5YSE
22: China official warns of domestic unrest and "hostile" West http://reut.rs/fjgec4
22: UPDATE1: Chinese democracy protester detained for subversion, rights watchdog says http://bit.ly/haZYpO, http://bit.ly/euvTtL, http://bit.ly/h6c3MW[/b]
23: Latest Directives From the Ministry of Truth, February 17-23, 2011 http://bit.ly/eLaCo5
23: In Face of Middle East Unrest, Chinese Communist Party Closes Ranks http://bit.ly/hiXca8, http://reut.rs/ejTR2Y, http://bit.ly/dSxcOR, http://bit.ly/eaj494, http://bit.ly/frwlaV, http://bit.ly/fkQDri, http://bit.ly/hIATsA, http://bit.ly/i7sGjC, http://bit.ly/em5Erp, http://bit.ly/fHQoff, http://bit.ly/eC7uPs, http://bit.ly/fwkqWT,
24: Injured coal miner struggles for compensation http://bit.ly/hkL4dL
24: Chinese dissident sent to labour camp again http://reut.rs/e3VYvl
24: New Social Management to Preserve Stability http://bit.ly/gZjscL
25: China charges subversion for protest repostings http://bit.ly/eYJyCS,http://bit.ly/eLHaCn, http://bit.ly/fL5jkb, http://bit.ly/gELdDE, http://bit.ly/eHWPtB, http://bit.ly/dOz8jh, http://bit.ly/geZTxp, http://bit.ly/hwT4k9,
25: Fake Western Media Coverage Of Jasmine Revolution In China http://bit.ly/hfecUH
28: Tiananmen student leader on revolution http://bit.ly/h6S6iG
28: Remarkable Quotes from the Fifty Cent Party: Anti-Jasmine Revolution Tweets http://bit.ly/eQikLi
28: No Protesters, but Beijing Police Sweep Streets of Bystanders, Journalists http://bit.ly/fFVdz1, http://bit.ly/gUyTR6, http://bit.ly/i5nvEq, http://bit.ly/gDi2NL
28: Guangdong raises minimum wage as inflation hurts workers http://bit.ly/hxcRYH

Indonesia

1: Workers stage protest, demand unpaid wages http://t.co/LgPkTCk
1: Dozens of temporary employees protest at Carrefour http://t.co/EgfWs6G
1: Sekar Hospital Nurses Strike http://t.co/eZWq9sv
1: Thousands of workers protest against closure of their workplace http://t.co/PXMWksq
1: Activists Rail at Officials Over Handling of Stranded Workers http://t.co/tim2ip5
5: Despite Laws, Many Workers Still Exploited http://t.co/aw2qMza
6: Indonesian workers march for better social security and against precarious work http://t.co/Ge9kXXS
7: Thousands of Workers Demand Salary Increase http://t.co/7SCogwg
14: Domestic workers take to the streets demanding decent wages, protection http://t.co/lUGPMRN
14: Domestic workers turn Hotel Indonesia into 'giant laundry' http://t.co/jI6Xc6Z
14: Women Sew Lips Closed in Indonesian Apartments Protest http://t.co/H8rI6fU
18: Kupang Villagers Rally to Support Illegal Logging Suspects http://t.co/J6pF0Nv
22: Medan: Hundreds of residents of Deli Serdang protest over land rights http://bit.ly/gFAOr2
23: Freedom of Association for the Public Sector employees in Indonesia: Challenges and development http://bit.ly/fR4Iv8
23: FSPM wins union recognition, permanent jobs and reinstatement at Guci Hotel in Bandung http://bit.ly/ewecV7
26: Student Demo in Bandung http://bit.ly/grgPVD
26: Three people arrested in Rawasari rally http://bit.ly/hGdBuz
26: Website of a community campaign against a land seizure for a mine - contains some Egnlish: http://petanimerdeka.tk/
28: Yogyakarta workers begin campaign for bargaining rights and job security at Hyatt Hotels http://bit.ly/gpdhxr

Japan

2: Toeing Industry Line, Honda Union Defers Dream Of Raise http://t.co/je79NBr
11: J.LEAGUE/ Japan pro soccer needs labor union http://t.co/xJxMA5A
21: Japanese protest against US base http://bit.ly/eICI7Q
25: Japan Cracks Down on Dissent http://bit.ly/dOOCnV, http://bit.ly/hFehd1

Malaysia

4: Malaysian police fire water cannons at anti-Mubarak rally http://t.co/CqcUcP3
8: Guest workers face hard life in Malaysia http://t.co/0RO64zY
16: $3.2m lawsuit for defending Burmese migrants http://t.co/LTaKOJk
19: GLCs and Govt to talk wages http://bit.ly/gLNNgy
20: Near clashes between gangsters and natives http://t.co/znX3HFB
24: Allow Anti-Racism March http://bit.ly/f9LHWI

North Korea

14: N. Koreans protest over power cuts http://bit.ly/gW2boT
22: Mobile Phone Rentals Banned http://bit.ly/gjFHYN
24: Arab uprisings spark concern in North Korea http://bit.ly/f3mvyh
24: N.Korea on Alert for Signs of Resistance http://bit.ly/hAbWb1, http://bit.ly/fH2CCZ, http://bit.ly/eax86p, http://bit.ly/fxtLFI
28: North Koreans Take to the Streets http://bit.ly/fqRamk

Philippines

2: Farmers, militants protest bioethanol project in Isabela http://t.co/9UTO6vo
4: Evicted settlers want to sue cops, San Juan LGU http://t.co/SsXghud
10: NFA employees oppose privatization http://t.co/zbxexaY
11: After Successful Strike, Footwear Workers Face Another Hurdle http://t.co/u6KBBP0
13: PAL, PALEA mull partial settlement of labor issues http://t.co/XURHN26
16: Dole must respect union rights http://t.co/PebwHXk
18: Labor Groups Push Anew for Wage Hike Amid Rising Prices http://bit.ly/i1oTtD
21: Thousands of workers at DOLE Philippines to go out for union elections. Union, labor NGO decry management attempts at vote buying. http://bit.ly/eI75Rw, http://bit.ly/i00gWt, http://bit.ly/hMDCNr
22: RPN 9 workers file strike notice http://bit.ly/dEZPkl
25: Groups Mark 25th Anniversary of Edsa People Power I with Protests http://bit.ly/gdm45K

Singapore

16: Plight of the migrant worker http://t.co/s80UDZ4, http://bit.ly/ihQ8ru, http://bit.ly/fn93zZ, http://bit.ly/eXNeoF

South Korea

1: KEB union threatens all-out strike http://t.co/BPZax4D
1: Students cry foul over soaring fees http://t.co/qSBklfK
8: International Day of Solidarity Action - KCTU protest in front of Egyptial Embassy http://t.co/qReomuf
10: Unions warn of action for legal revision http://t.co/uWSO7gH
13: Court sides with subcontracted worker in Hyundai Motor case http://t.co/1nqIMRm , http://t.co/bnasw82
14: Hanjin Heavy locks factories http://t.co/KERX4Cy , http://t.co/lPRVz4x
16: Denunciation of the Cancellation of the Migrants' Trade Union Chairperson's EPS Visa Status http://t.co/wChr0fH, http://bit.ly/gZnxIE, http://bit.ly/hH4wMP, http://bit.ly/hVOCmF, http://bit.ly/dTxde6
18: South Koreans protest against pizza delivery deadlines http://t.co/XIFoHC0 , http://bit.ly/hYQACF , http://bit.ly/gM6Zzi
Protests continue as courts pay cleaning workers below minimum wage http://bit.ly/ifBvO0
20: Hongik University workers reach tentative agreement http://bit.ly/gaGI5T
28: Breaking the gridlock at Ssangyong http://bit.ly/gCA0TM
28: Korea may raise retirement age to 60: report http://bit.ly/euVfsR

Taiwan

12: Amis not satisfied by ‘response’ http://t.co/Io6S9Yc
21: Proposed cut in work hours gaining support from unions http://bit.ly/gdCWgv

Thailand

3: Chained to a hospital bed with no escape http://t.co/Ab7bCz0
10: Workers march from Rayong for fair treatment http://t.co/FfaFeiS
14: Laid off workers march in Bangkok http://t.co/Rz2RIH7
16: Court orders worker to be freed from hospital cell http://t.co/j8wME2n
22: Farmers protest in Ayutthaya http://bit.ly/foBhgV
25: Ten-thousand call for an Energy [R]evolution in Thailand http://bit.ly/gsx3rV, http://bit.ly/g4P5rT
27: Free speech flows along the King's road http://bit.ly/gV4Qm3

Vietnam

5: Protecting the workforce http://t.co/XODyQzg
20: Self-immolation to protest corruption http://bit.ly/fHyHEf
26: Strike at motorcycle factory http://bit.ly/e2VJMd
26: Protest fever reaches Vietnam http://bit.ly/dSuNwx