In a dispute that has now dragged on for over three years, workers are still fighting the global cement company, Holcim. The issue is around the company’s practice of hiring contract workers at lower wages as well as their union busting tactics. Protests have involved family members, fighting against yellow unions, and even flying to Holcim’s company headquarters to fight for their rights. The company is enforcing a brutal ‘race to the bottom’ and in early January, seven trade union leaders were jailed on sham charges.
source:::http://www.aawl.org.au
During the months of December and January, four migrant workers at the plywood manufacturer Besgrade Products in Kedah state, Malaysia have died in what is probably a case of workplace poisoning. The reason that their deaths are unclear is that there has been no investigation of why they died. Not only that, but when workers tried to get the company to call for help to aid the fourth worker who was very sick, the company called the police and three workers were arrested. Activists are calling for a judicial investigation into the deaths and cover ups.
source:::http://www.aawl.org.au
Tens of thousands of garment workers in Cambodia began a national strike for higher pay on the 24th of December. The workers were demanding that their monthly wages be doubled from US $80/month to US $160/month. Beginning on the 2nd of January, the police and military unleashed a massive crackdown on the workers, killing at least five, injuring hundreds and arresting many union leaders, see photosand video. There has been a wave of international solidarity actions, click here, here, and here. But workers have faced this repression before and will not give up their right to organise.
source:::http://www.aawl.org.au
Ekonomi Malaysia diunjur berkembang pada kadar 5.5 peratus bersandarkan kepada jangkaan langkah pengukuhan fiskal dapat mengawal bajet defisit dan persekitaran moneteri ketat, terutamanya pada peringkat domestik, demikian menurut Institut Penyelidikan Ekonomi Malaysia (MIER).
