Palestinian teachers in historic strike
As reported last week, tens of thousands of Palestinian teachers have been on strike and mobilising for better wages and conditions. Most schools in the West Bank have been shut for over two weeks. Importantly, one of the teachers’ demands is for union members to have the right to elect their own representatives and not for the union officials to be appointed by the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority is threatening to force the teachers back to work. Solidarity messages to the Palestinian teachers can be sent here.
Indian auto workers continue to mobilise
The automotive industry has seen a massive expansion over the last decade with hundreds of thousands of new workers being created. As in other countries experiencing this industrialisation boom, the working conditions are characterised by low wages, long days and atrocious OHS standards. Indian workers have fought hard against this exploitation. Even a business mouthpiece like the ‘Economic Times’ has had to acknowledge the widespread labour struggles in this sector. In the last couple of weeks, new actions have been taken by Honda workers in the Gurgaon region and the Tata Motorsworkers in Karnataka.
International Women’s Day
Last year saw major demonstration and strikes by thousands of automobile workers in the Bursa region of Turkey. Late last month, workers employed by Renault were scheduled to hold elections to elect new union representatives. Renault management not only cancelled these elections at the last moment but also dismissed workers who took action to protest at this attempt to stifle organising. Some workers were then arrested when police moved in to clear picket lines. The workers are continuing with their actions.
Renault attacks workers’ rights in Turkey
Last year saw major demonstration and strikes by thousands of automobile workers in the Bursa region of Turkey. Late last month, workers employed by Renault were scheduled to hold elections to elect new union representatives. Renault management not only cancelled these elections at the last moment but also dismissed workers who took action to protest at this attempt to stifle organising. Some workers were then arrested when police moved in to clear picket lines. The workers are continuing with their actions.
Another labour leader sentenced in Iran
As reported previously, the repression against workers in Iran continues unabated with many workers arrested and sentenced to years of jail for the sole crime of attempting to improve wages and conditions. This week, Reza Shahabi, a leading activist with the Vahed Syndicate of bus drivers in Tehran, was sentenced to a further year in jail for his activities. This is not the first timethat Reza has been arrested.
Free Reza Shabadi!
Organising is not a crime!
Iranian teachers’ union leader imprisoned
Last year saw massive mobilisations by Iranian teachers in support of job security, better conditions and pay. These actions by teachers occurred all across Iran. The reaction by the Iranian government has been swift and repressive as usual. The government harassed and arrested a number of the teachers’ organisers (see here and here). This week, Esmail Abdi, the General Secretary of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, was sentenced to six years in jail for his role in these industrial actions.
