V. Arun Kumar

Severe Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka

Protests have erupted in Sri Lanka as country reels under severe economic crisis as prices of essential commodities and fuel are reaching sky high. The country is witnessing long queues at fuel stations and grocery shops, with the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government announcing deployment of military.  According to reports more than three elderly people have dropped dead at fuel queues.

International Working Class Struggles (SA, Australia, CAR, UK)

Food Processing Workers Strike in South Africa

Food processing industry workers in South Africa, under the banner of Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) and the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA), began an indefinite strike at Israeli-owned dairy giant Clover on 22 November. The striking workers are demanding an end company’s attempts to retrench workers and increasing working hours.

US Tornado Tragedy: How Corporates Push Workers to Death for Profit

 

On December 10, a series tornado struck across six US states, killing more than 80 people. It left a trail of death and destruction behind its path, with hundreds of homes and structure razed to ground. Amid the calamity, when everyone was looking for their safety, corporates were trying to churn profits. Among the killed were several factory workers including those working at Amazon ware house in Illinois and a candle factory in Mayfield.

Death of workers at Amazon warehouse in Illinois

Indonesian Court terms Anti-labour Omnibus Law as 'Conditionally Unconstitutional'

An Indonesian Constitutional Court on 25 November 2021 ordered President Joko Widodo to amend parts of the controversial Omnibus Law. The law aimed to dilute the county's previously existing labour, land acquisition and environmental laws in favour of "attracting more foreign investment."  The term Omnibus comes from Latin and means "to, for, by, with or from everything". The Omnibus Law thus brings various legislations under a single document.

International Struggles- Spain, Swaziland & Honduras

 

Spanish Metal Workers Clinches Pay Rise After 9 Day Strike

Metal workers in the Spanish city of Cadiz ended their strike on November 25 after a pay rise deal was agreed. The strike on November 16 witnessed more that 20,000 workers hitting the streets demanding a pay rise in line with the surging inflation rate, which in October stood at 5.5%.

The strike witnessed heavy police repression with security forces using rubber bullets on the workers in picket lines on November 23.

Millions Join Trade Union’s call for General Strike Against Coup d'état in Sudan

Trade Unions and progressive sections of the society in Sudan have embarked on a General Strike action against the 25 October coup led by army chief General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. The coup led to dissolution of the Sovereign Council and the government and the declaration of a state of emergency.

Millions continue to march across Sudan chanting "civilian rule is the people's choice” and "no to military rule" despite massive state repression. As on 26 October, 12 people have been killed and more than 100 injured, as troops fired on thousands of protesters opposing the coup.