Workers' struggles in Asia (January 2010)

Summary and links to news stories of workers' struggles around Asia (exluding mainland China) in the first month of the decade (as of the 16th of January).

Submitted by Spartacus on January 16, 2010

Sorted by country in alphabetical order.

Cambodia

Workers at a shoe factory walk out over sacking of union officials.
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010011430831/National-news/workers-at-shoe-factory-pledge-to-extend-protest-against-firings.html
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010011530872/National-news/shoe-factory-protesters-turn-up-heat.html

Hong Kong

The new year began with a big demonstration against the Beijing controlled administration.
http://chinaworker.info/en/content/news/935/
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=92767&sid=26616494&con_type=1
http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1151504&lang=eng_news
Activists protest against a costly new rail link to the mainland.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iMFsLM9xZ7OQlaQavy0PCQOExa5Q
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/302735,thousands-protest-86-billion-dollar-hong-kong-china-railway--summary.html
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/302469,cross-border-rail-protests-heighten-hong-kong-beijing-tensions.html
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2010/01/activists-protest-against-costly-hong-kong-china-railway/
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cee57b52-01aa-11df-b8cb-00144feabdc0.html
Flight attendants working for United Airlines join international protest.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/late-united-airlines-contract-draws-worldwide-protest-80915162.html
Airplane maintenance trainees protest against being used as cheap labour.
http://www.whatsonxiamen.com/news9634.html
Taxi drivers protest against substandard fuel they blame for recent breakdowns.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/eastasia/view/1028522/1/.html

Indonesia

Workers at Indosiar television station protest for increased wages.
http://thejakartaglobe.com/news/indosiar-employees-rally-seek-pay-raise/352132
http://thejakartaglobe.com/home/indosiar-employees-rally-demanding-a-pay-rise/351986
Online activism in Indonesia.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4c89d9a0-ff1b-11de-a677-00144feab49a.html
Textile workers from the Istana Magnoliatama factory in north Jakarta have been occupying their workplace for more than 2 years. China Worker has this interview with a union member.
http://chinaworker.info/en/content/news/927/

Korea

Workers at Kia are set to hold a partial strike.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/08/content_12777067.htm
Tugboat drivers union withdraws from KCTU.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/01/117_59052.html
New labour law.
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2010/01/08/201001080039.asp
Unionised teachers were fired for takig part in anti-government protests.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/01/117_58437.html
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2914827
Number of strikes dropped last year, whilst there was the highest number of wage reductions since 1997.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/01/113_58436.html
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2010/01/14/201001140042.asp

Philippines

Protest over introduction of electronic tagging of vehicles.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/11/10/transport-militant-groups-stage-protest-vs-rfid
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/238026/rfid-stirs-protests
Report on number of strikes falling last year - unions blame it the government's labour laws.
http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=4150
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/180919/fewer-strikes-in-2009-labor-dept
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/viewpoints/viewpoints/view/20100103-245246/The-labor-situation-and-struggle-in-2009
The human rights situation.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=16759

Taiwan

Amongst a round-up of news from the Indian subcontinent is a short piece on a Taiwanese trade union protest against a new labour law. There is also a report on another case of Russian sailors going on hunger strike, this time in Vietnam.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/jan2010/labo-j04.shtml

Thailand

State railway refuses to reinstate workers fired after a strike last year.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/31089/srt-management-won-t-rehire-strikers
Report on the political situation in the country.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LA09Ae01.html

Vietnam

Report on number of strikes last year.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/302666,vietnam-strikes-down-sharply-in-2009.html

Comments

Steven.

14 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Steven. on January 18, 2010

good to have you back mate!

You buy a new computer?

Spartacus

14 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spartacus on January 21, 2010

yep, but then we went on holiday and had a lot of work when i got back. got a nice new mini laptop all for myself for xmas though, so should be able to do these regularly again.

Steven.

14 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Steven. on January 21, 2010

great news. You in touch with any of the Nao people? You still teaching English?

Steven.

14 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Steven. on January 23, 2010

Vietnam textile workers wildcat strike: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/305212,vietnam-workers-strike-over-salary-increases.html