จาก: aawl labour news <news@aawl.org.au>
วันที่: 2 มีนาคม 2555, 15:44
หัวเรื่อง: mini news
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aawl mini news

FREE OUR COMRADES! Liliany Obando is released!

Trade unionist and political prisoner Liliany Obando was released on Thursday 1 March 2012 from the prison where she had been held for almost 4 years on charges of "rebellion". Liliany was arrested in 2008 while serving as the Human Rights Coordinator for FENSUAGRO, Colombia's largest organization of peasant farmers and farm workers unions. She was arrested while finishing a report about the more than 1,500 Fensuagro members who had been killed by the Colombian military and paramilitary troops over its first 30 years of existence. However, all is not settled regarding Liliany's case. The court process has not been suspended and she still could be sent back to jail. When asked how she was feeling about the news of her release, Liliany said, "I have mixed emotions. I want to leave, but I don't want to leave the other political prisoners behind. We have to keep working until all the political prisoners are free." This victory was only possible through the united efforts of workers internationally who fought tirelessly for Liliany 's release. The struggle must continue for all political prisoners everywhere. Free our Comrades!

Support international women's day

International Women 's Day is marked by protests worldwide that highlight and build campaigns for women's rights. Women's struggle to liberate themselves from the unjust corporate system frees us all. Together we learn the strength of our collective power. This year, an IWD protest in Melbourne has been organised by Occupy Melbourne Feminist Collective. The event is for everybody. The demands include: Equal pay for women workers; End to violence against women; Full rights for refugees and asylum seekers; Recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty; Full reproductive rights for all women. Women unite for global justice.
Saturday 10 March 12 noon
State Library, Swanston Street Melbourne

Download leaflet
Facebook page

General Strike in India

More than 100 million workers in India stopped work for a 24 hour strike on 28 February. The strike demands included: Increase the minimum wage; Greater employment protection; An end to contracting out & outsourcing of jobs; Social security for unorganised & informal workers. You can read reports on the strike in the different states in India here. CITU radio interview available here. View a photo of the Melbourne solidarity rally for the general strike in India here.

Respect our Work: Victorian Nurses strike

Victorian nurses started rolling strike action on 24 February 2012 against the Baillieu state government over nurses' wages, patient ratios, staffing levels and the commitment to provide safe and expert care to patients. The Australian Nurses Federation (Victoria Branch) is Victoria's nursing industrial and professional body representing more than 63,000 members

The Baillieu government is using all kinds of tactics to silence the ANF, including a gag order on the use of facebook and twitter. Many nurses and midwives face having their pay docked for participating in the stoppages. To support the nurses, please donate to the Hardship Fund.

Defend the Nurses union and Respect Our Work!

For more information:
Twitter @ANFvicbranch
Facebook.com/respectourwork

Meatworkers strike in response to lockout

Unionised Affco meat workers in New Zealand have gone on strike on strike today in support of 776 workers locked out by the company. Pickets started at the five lockout-affected North Island meat plants from 5am. The five plants are Affco's national headquarters, Horotiu in the Waikato, Moerewa in Northland, Feilding, Whanganui and Wairoa. New Zealand Meatworkers Union general secretary Dave Eastlake said 1700 unionised workers would strike for the day. More information on the strike here.

Workers organise in Sri Lanka

Workers united to protest against State land grabbing and in support of tea workers' livelihoods on 25 February in Kandy. The protest and demands were special as was the solidarity across the sectors – Domestic workers, Garment workers, Co-operative workers, Rubber and Tea workers came in support of the tea workers Their main focus slogans were: We have worked for many decades to feed the country but today we are starving/ with empty stomachs; Don't destroy our livelihoods. We will not let our estates and our livelihoods sold; We are ready to work, the state must be ready to protect the tea plantations; Don't forget, We are workers, we are powerful.

Telecom unions have also been in dispute over the issue of casualisation and union rights. Twenty-one unions have been in dispute at Sri Lanka Telecom since August 2011. There is a campaign page to support the workers here.

Support the oil workers in Kazakhstan

On 16 December at least 16 people were killed and hundreds more injured in Kazakhstan when the Nazarbayev regime ordered the use of troops and police against unarmed striking oil workers and their supporters who were protesting in a city square. Independent video footage shows police firing on protesters running from the square. A State of Emergency was announced following the violence, which banned further protests and strikes and imposed curfews. The State of Emergency has now been lifted. While 4 police officers have been charged over their role in the killings, more than 100 workers and activists have been detained. The oil workers have been on strike since May 2011. Among their demands are the right to a genuine, independent trade union free from employer interference; increased pay; improved conditions; and the nationalisation of the oil sector. Information to support of the oil workers union here and here.