Monday, December 15, 2014

Germany:::Union calls 3-day strike at German Amazon centers




 — A union has launched a three-day strike at five Amazon.com distribution centers in Germany, the latest in a string of walkouts in a long-running wage dispute with the American online retailer.
The ver.di union called workers at Bad Hersfeld, Leipzig, Graben, Rheinberg and Werne out on strike from early Monday until late Wednesday. It didn't say how many people would be involved. Amazon has more than 9,000 full-time employees in Germany.

MALAYSIA:::Ringgit falls to weakest level against S$ in 2 decades

The Malaysian ringgit yesterday fell to its weakest level against the Singapore dollar in almost two decades, as government bonds fell on concern that a slump in oil prices will hurt government efforts to reduce the fiscal deficit.
As at 9pm, S$1 could buy RM2.67, compared with RM2.63 at the beginning of the month. The value of the ringgit is now comparable to the levels during the depths of the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and 1998.
The currency has declined 6.8% since October 10, the worst-performing currency in Asia, as the drop in crude threatens to crimp revenue in the petroleum-exporting nation.
The ringgit extended losses to a ninth week – the longest run of

HONGKONG:::Trade unionist among those detained in Hong Kong crackdown

As previously reported, the fight for direct elections has been shaking Hong Kong for a number of months with unions actively involved in these protests. The size of the protests has been fuelled by widespread anger against increasing inequality, corruption and the high cost of living. This week, the Hong Kong government cleared the last remaining camp of the protest movement. Many people were arrested by police, including prominent unionists from the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), though they were later released. Protest organisers have promised that they will be back. On the mainland, shoe factory workers won an important three month battle over compensation.
source:::http://www.aawl.org.au

Indonesian workers flexing their muscle for higher wages

The last few years have seen growing confidence among workers in Indonesia with the staging of major strikes and actions to win better wages and conditions. Nevertheless, many workers continue to face harsh working conditions, unsafe workplacesand repression by the state. Thus, labour organisations continue to push for their rights. Earlier this month, huge numbers of workers took to the streets all around Indonesia to test the new President Jokowi stated goal to tackle the growing inequality in Indonesia by calling for higher wages.
source:::http://www.aawl.org.au

Australian workers in bitter industrial dispute against global company

Around 150 workers in the southern city of Melbourne have been on strike for two months against the giant Otis company, the world’s largest manufacturer of elevators, escalators and moving walkways. Otis employs over 60,000 workers world-wide. The workers are fighting for better wages and conditions with the company trying to downgrade workers’ entitlements. A fighting fund has been established and solidarity messages have been received from around the world. While local workers are united, coordinated industrial action by other Otis employees at their workplaces in other countries would be the most effective way to fight against this global giant and support the Australian workers.
source:::http://www.aawl.org.au

BANGLADESH::: Fight for rights continues for workers in Bangladesh

It has been well over a year since the massacre of over 1,100 garment workers at Rana Plaza and still the fight for proper compensation continues. Benetton is one of the major brands that has not contributed anything yet. In an unrelated development, owners of two of the garment factories that were in Rana Plaza were granted bail, raising fears that they will never be held to account for their actions. Meanwhile a separate investigation, has highlighted the appalling working conditions for workers in the coal processing sector. The continued repression of unions in Bangladesh has forced millions of men and women to work in appalling conditions for starvation wages.
source:::http://www.aawl.org.au

PAKISTAN::Factory fire: German brand asked to pay compensation as per ILO standards:

PAKISTAN-DISASTER-FIRE

The heirs of the victims of Baldia Factory fire have demanded of the federal and provincial governments and international brands to fulfil their promises and ensure payment of the promised compensation to the victims.
As per details, National Trade Union Federation, Baldia Factory Fire Affectees Association, held a big protest rally on Sunday that marched from the Regal Chowk to the Karachi Press Club (KPC). It was attended by a large number of the heirs of Shaheed workers including women and children.

MALAYSIA:::Illegal foreign workers find creative ways to evade cops

Illegal foreign workers find creative ways to evade cops
Man from Myanmar hid in a fridge to escape from the authorities.

When immigration authorities came knocking at their doors, the illegal foreign workers knew their time was up.
But some still tried to make a last-ditch effort to evade the long arm of the law. They became "creative" in their attempts but did not get anywhere.
On Thursday, immigration authorities in Malacca began a crackdown which lasted till 10am yesterday.
Eight housing estates were raided during the 12-hour operation.
The crackdown led to the arrests of 76 men and women for immigration offences such as the misuse of work passes and overstaying, China Press reported.