[Onthebarricades] Fw: On the Barricades - Southeast and East Asia, Indonesia

Mon Nov 21 21:18:25 PST 2005

NEPAL:  May Day marked by labour marches

http://www.gefont.org/events/mayday05.htm

Protests planned for Mayday
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200504241957.htm

10,000 join Mayday protests against King

http://www.gnn.tv/headlines/2615/10_000_take_to_streets_in_protest_over_Nepal_s_king

Protest against registration of fake union - 1000 workers demonstrate

http://lnn.laborstart.org/more.php?id=448_0_1_0_M

Student protest attacked in Kathmandu

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=45925

Students hold nationwide strike to protest shootings

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_14-5-2005_pg4_19

Students under attack - security forces open fire on protesters and blockade university

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=38756

Arrests and injuries as police attack pro-democracy demonstration

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=36609

10,000 march in Kathmandu, demand restoration of democracy

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/2004

Phone workers protest over ban on mobiles

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=6a3Ra3maxamal&folder=aHaoamW&Name=Home&dtSiteDate=20050712

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=45498

Transport strike observed after call by Maoists

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=46601

Teachers strike over appointment of head

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=6a4Wa7maxamal&folder=aHaoamW&Name=Home&dtSiteDate=20050725

Civil service strike over attack on union rights

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=46406

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/2106

Thousands protest for democracy

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200505/s1374299.htm

100 professionals arrested while protesting the regime

http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2005/sep/sep19/news13.php

Civil servants march against union ban

http://www.blog.com.np/index.php?p=737

Mass pro-democracy protests led by opposition leaders

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2005/September/subcontinent_September182.xml&section=subcontinent&col=

http://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/afx/2005/09/04/afx2205471.html

Petrol price protest attacked, students injured

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=49355

Civil servants strike over mistreatment of colleague

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=52173

University teachers protest over crackdowns and academic freedom

http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2005/sep/sep24/news10.php

Nationwide protests against repressive "media ordinance" held by journalists and their supporters

http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2005/oct/oct22/news05.php

Journalists defy protest ban to oppose repression

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=55799

Students arrested at protest rally in Kathmandu - rally targets media repression

http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2005/oct/oct27/news15.php

Radio stations go off-air in censorship protest

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=55192

BURMA: Global campaign launched after trade unionist murdered

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/455

MONGOLIA:  Public sector workers protest over low wages and pensions

http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1115276370&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&

SOUTH KOREA: Golf course workers' strike finally ends in success
http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/dbman/db.cgi?db=default&uid=default&ID=2010&view_records=1&ww=1&en=1
Trade unionists go on hunger strike over migrant
worker bill
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200504/kt2005042217335610220.htm
Statement of workers' union
http://www.kctu.org/maybbs/pdsview.php?db=kctuinfo2&code=eng_action&n=24
Human rights watchdog criticises bill
http://www.koilaf.org/labor_view.php?num=2860
Warning strike launches campaign against bill
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200504/kt2005040117185311990.htm
Seoul Philharmonic protests with music
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200503/kt2005033121554453460.htm

Ex-spies hold protests against Japan; clash with cops

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200504/200504150029.html

School students protest against hair length rules

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200505/kt2005051517315411960.htm

School students protest over new, stricter college entry system

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200505/kt2005050817300811970.htm

Strike and rally in casualisation protest by workers

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/60176.asp

Air strike at Asiana Air hits exports, flights

http://www.libcom.org/newswire/stories.php?story=05/08/08/6662366

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/07/28/200507280005.asp

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/63645.asp

http://www.koilaf.org/index_init.php?url=labor_view.php?num=2995

http://www.koilaf.org/index_init.php?url=labor_view.php?num=2981

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200507/kt2005072018545611960.htm

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/BUSINESS/07/20/skorea.pilots.ap/

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200507/200507210029.html

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/7/21/business/20050721090116&sec=business

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200507/200507180018.html

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/i_latestdetail.asp?id=29266

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worldbiz/archives/2005/07/20/2003264305

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200507/200507200016.html

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/business/index.ssf?/base/business-44/112167872528160.xml&storylist=mibusiness

http://www.koilaf.org/index_init.php?url=labor_view.php?num=2975

http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=040000&biid=2005071940638

http://www.koilaf.org/index_init.php?url=labor_view.php?num=2977

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Markets/GG18Ag04.html

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200507/200507190042.html

http://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/ap/2005/07/20/ap2147731.html

http://www.koilaf.org/index_init.php?url=labor_view.php?num=2983

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-07/17/content_3229977.htm

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200507/kt2005071719093010220.htm

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worldbiz/archives/2005/07/18/2003264055

http://www.etaiwannews.com/World/2005/07/18/1121659636.htm

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200507/kt2005071817154711950.htm

http://washingtontimes.com/upi/20050718-052540-3690r.htm

Korea Air pilots walk out to support Asiana strikers

http://www.abcasiapacific.com/news/stories/asiapacific_stories_1416599.htm

Hospital and metal workers strike

http://www.koilaf.org/index_init.php?url=labor_view.php?num=2980

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200507/kt2005072119001911960.htm

http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=040000&biid=2005072292888

http://www.koilaf.org/index_init.php?url=labor_view.php?num=2990

http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=040000&biid=2005071940638

http://www.koilaf.org/index_init.php?url=labor_view.php?num=2978

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200507/200507200036.html

Hospital strike ends in arbitration

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200507/kt2005072418042410220.htm

Provisional agreement in metal strike

http://www.koilaf.org/index_init.php?url=what_view.php?num=366

Union federations hold joint rally

http://www.koilaf.org/index_init.php?url=what_view.php?num=366

Unions boycott labour panels

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/2129

Whale factory occupation faces threats

http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0526-22.htm

"No One Is Illegal" demo

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=248

Anti-war and migrant worker demos

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=250

http://blog.jinbo.net/CINA/?pid=209

Protests over arrest of migrant union leader

Immigration office stormed on one protest

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=246

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=247

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=245

Korea Mayday events

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=243

Thursday peace protests continue

http://migrant.nodong.net/zb/view.php?id=newsndates&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=241

Youths plan further hair ban protests

http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20050519082551654

Hunger strike at Mokdong immigration prison

http://www.labournet.net/world/0508/apwsl1.html

Workers head for confrontation with government

http://www.workersliberty.org/node/view/4452

http://www.workersliberty.org/node/view/4074

Government smashes hospital strike, but pilots' strike continues

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jul2005/labo-j30.shtml

. and then they ban the pilots' strike as well

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/aug2005/labo-a20.shtml

Metal workers strike

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/aug2005/labo-a20.shtml

Trade unionist killed by scab at cement drivers' picket

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jun2005/labo-j18.shtml

South Korean Private Kills 8 Soldiers After Being Tormented By Officers

June 20, 2005 New York Times

A 22-year-old South Korean soldier who had been bullied by his superiors killed eight soldiers at a guard post at the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea, inflicting the highest number of casualties on the South Korean Army since 2000.  

CHINA:  Parents block roads in tuition fees protest

http://chinastic.chinabroadcast.cn/chinastic/content.aspx?id=6737

Unrest as army veterans gather to protest benefits

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2005/04/14/2003250384

Veterans protest redundancies, arrests of colleagues, and unpaid wages at factory in Shenzen

Riot police called out as mayor is besieged in car

http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=4561

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=161806022&p=y6y8x67z8

Truck, bus and taxi drivers stage protest over draconian red-light jumping sentences

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GG05Ak07.html

Professor stages one-man protest over graduate recruiting system

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-07/04/content_456786.htm

Veterans protest in Beijing

http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=3043

Farmers stage protests over land grabs near Olympic venues

http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-06-17-voa59.cfm

Jailed cyber-dissident goes on hunger strike

http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=15114

Burst of internet protest over forced retirement of education official

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/article_1058600.php/Official`s_`retirement`_sparks_protest

Local bureaucrats and foreign bosses gang up to smash strike
Thousands of workers strike for several days to demand the right to form an independent union
The factory is a WalMart supplier
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/25/AR2005042501555.html
http://www.chinalaborwatch.org/en/web/article.php?article_id=50259
http://www.china-labour.org.hk/iso/article.adp?article_id=6326
http://www.investors.com/breakingnews.asp?journalid=27128911&brk=1

TIBET:  Graduates protest for jobs, claim discrimination

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2005/07/14/tibetan_youth/

HONG KONG:  Protest against homophobia

http://uk.gay.com/headlines/8544

Protesters target Benetton over "mulesing"

http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Hong-Kong-protest-against-Aussie-wool/2005/04/07/1112815665575.html

Cathay Pacific workers apply for review over occupational health

http://www.csr-asia.com/index.php?p=2484

Hotel workers protest for severance pay

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/apr2005/lab-a23.shtml

Protesters target Japan over reparations and history falsification

http://english.people.com.cn/200507/07/eng20050707_194669.html

Professional drivers protest over traffic violation crackdown

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GG05Ak07.html

TAIWAN:  Telecom workers stage strike against privatisation

Clashes with police over entry of scabs

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Breaking/Taiwan-state-telco-workers-on-strike/2005/05/18/1116361589500.html

http://www.etaiwannews.com/Taiwan/Society/2005/05/18/1116378763.htm

http://money.iwon.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_rt.jsp?cat=USMARKET&src=704&feed=dji&section=news&news_id=dji-00015520050516&date=20050516&alias=/alias/money/cm/nw

Article on protests against stray dog killing in Taiwan

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2005/07/17/2003263942

Mistreated lepers protest demolition of hospital

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/05/14/2003254622

Students protest over fee increases

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1405545.htm

http://english.www.gov.tw/index.jsp?action=cna&cnaid=11198

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/07/03/2003261987

Telecom workers protest privatisation

http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2005/08/09/afx2176120.html

Arms trade protest opposes increased procurement

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/09/26/2003273260

Medical professionals march over pay
http://www.ettoday.com/2005/04/20/11195-1780235.htm

JAPAN/TAIWAN:  Tokyo police smash protest at Yakusuni Shrine over "honouring" of enslaved Taiwanese aboriginal people

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2005/06/15/2003259352

JAPAN:  Nearly 300,000 attend Mayday marches
Workers attack economic woes and militarist constitutional reforms
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=1&id=336040
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20050430a6.htm
Rallies held to oppose militarist amendments to the constitution
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=1&id=334324

More protests in Okinawa, this time over live-ammo training at US bases

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/1968

Anarchists organise protest against nuclear weapons

http://www.ainfos.ca/05/aug/ainfos00048.html

Protests mark Hiroshima Day

http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=7396

http://www.labournet.net/world/0508/japan1.html

Teachers oppose revival of nationalist rituals

http://www.labournet.net/world/0502/japan2.html

http://www.labournet.net/world/0503/japan3.html

Rail strike targets Iraq war as well as privatisation, speed-ups and hazards

http://www.labournet.net/world/0503/japan4.html

Transport workers stage anti-war rallies

http://www.labournet.net/world/0503/japan5.html

Woman attempts suicide in protest over prime minister

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/article_1044720.php/Woman_attempts_suicide_in_Koizumi_protest

Ethnic Chinese groups denounce Koizumi visit to Yaasakuni Shrine

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/18/content_3642915.htm

VIETNAM: Successful strike at McDonald's toy maker in Danang

Sweatshop workers previously smashed windows and struck for two days over wages and the humiliation of workers

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBW8N6HO8E.html

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=01LAB130505

http://thanhniennews.com/society/?catid=3&newsid=6722

McDonald's toy makers strike over low pay and sweatshop conditions

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=522362005

CAMBODIA:  As quotas end, conflict escalates

http://www.nosweat.org.uk/article.php?sid=1272

Reuters AlertNet - London,England,UK
PHNOM PENH, July 20 (Reuters) - Cambodian riot police on Wednesday broke up a protest by ethnic minority asylum seekers against the forced return of over 100 Vietnamese refugees.

THAILAND::  2,000 Thai Workers Demand Higher Wages

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - More than one thousand workers blocked a Bangkok street outside the prime minister's office Monday, demanding that the government increase the minimum wage and control prices following a steep rise in fuel prices.  Workers carrying banners and placards rallied on a main road, blocking the entrance to Government House.

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=AP&Date=20050718&ID=4969431

Workers rally for minimum wage rise

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jul2005/labo-j23.shtml

Electricity workers protest against privatisation

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/lab-m21.shtml

Workers attend Mayday rallies, call for rise in minimum wage

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/labo-m07.shtml

Protest over stock-market listing of beer company - protesters allege profit motive will encourage drinking

http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/ap/2005/07/20/ap2148649.html

Soldiers involved in crackdown, slain by angry villagers

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=TopNews&article=UPI-1-20050921-06444000-bc-thailand-killings.xml

Mayday marchers call for minimum wage hike
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/i_latestdetail.asp?id=27940

Villagers pray to stop Salween Dams
http://www.indymedia.org/en/2005/04/114586.shtml

Poverty protesters demand dam gates be opened to combat drought
Protest at ministry demands dam gates open 
Policemen are deployed in front of the Energy Ministry to keep law and order while about 100 members of the Assembly of the Poor rally to demand that the Pak Moon
dam gates be opened. — Tawatchai Kemgumnerd 
About 100 Assembly of the Poor members again rallied at the Energy Ministry yesterday to demand the Pak Moon dam's sluice gates be opened.  Pakin Sommit, adviser to Energy Minister Viset Choopiban, told them the ministry would not allow them all inside, but asked them to send 10 representatives. However, the protesters rejected the offer and
continued their rally. Mr Pakin said the Assembly of the Poor had asked the ministry to open the sluice gates, citing a cabinet resolution that the gates be opened from May to August for fishing.  But a provincial committee chaired by the Ubon Ratchathani governor decided on May 16, after meeting the Assembly of the Poor, to keep the sluice gates closed. The decision, to be reviewed next month, was based on the fact many areas still facing drought would be affected if the gates were opened. Mr Pakin said he did not know what to do if assembly members refused to negotiate.  The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) said opening the sluice gates had been postponed because of the drought.  Egat deputy governor Paiboon Thepmongkok said cabinet
empowered Egat to open the dam gates for four months
from either May or June.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/19May2005_news08.php
http://www.mcot.org/query.php?nid=38592

MALAYSIA: Villagers protest after fatal accident; call for ban on HGVs

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=134979

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/5/18/nation/10978970&sec=nation

Indian workers camp out near High Commission to protest non-payment of wages

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200505121863.htm

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1108359.cms

Squatters refuse to move and protest against social cleansing

http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/MM/Tuesday/National/20050712133820/Article/index_html

Protest over new condominium, deemed threat to green belt

http://www.hba.org.my/news/2005/1005/residents.htm

Mayday march targets privatisation
http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=28500

SINGAPORE:  Police attack small protest at Central Profident Fund over corruption

http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20050816045705321

http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20050811045043620

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1435852.htm

http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20050811045043620

PHILLIPINES: Taxi drivers protest against oil deregulation

http://news.inq7.net/regions/index.php?index=1&story_id=34277

http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=34199

Greenpeace protesters attacked by guards during protest at mine

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News200511110402.htm

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/3177

Farmers threaten to plant marijuana in protest against vegetable imports

http://www.freshplaza.com/2005/14apr/2_ph_a_marihuanaplant.htm

Rattan manufacturers stage strike

http://www.thefreeman.com/local/story-20050603-31195.html

Soldiers deployed against Lepanto strike?

http://www.bulatlat.net/news/5-16/5-16-lepanto.htm

Indigenous people protest gold mining ban

http://news.inq7.net/regions/index.php?index=1&story_id=32494

Mayday marked with cycle rally by labour activists

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2005/05/01/news/city.workers.to.stage.cycling.protest.sunday.html

Mayday events across the country
http://manila.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=3786
http://qc.indymedia.org/news/2005/04/3251.php
Schoolteachers march on Mayday
http://manila.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=3802
Peasant leaders protest killings of activists with
fast
http://qc.indymedia.org/news/2005/03/2991.php
http://qc.indymedia.org/news/2005/04/3001.php
Phillipines International Forum held
http://qc.indymedia.org/news/2005/03/2953.php
Women hold march against poverty and globalisation
http://manila.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=3782
Protests against lopsided free-trade deal with Japan
http://manila.indymedia.org/index.php?action=newswire&parentview=3703
Government workers protest corruption and mismanagement in pension fund

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2005/05/07/news/gov.t.employees.gird.for.protest.html

Food Not Bombs set up in Naga City

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/2010

Mining workers and activists storm mine HQ

http://news.inq7.net/regions/index.php?index=1&story_id=44568

Workers clash with cops as mine dispute continues

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2005/07/26/news/clash.occurs.between.lepanto.strikers.cops.7.hurt.html

Strike declared at oil firm

http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2005071439384.html

Port workers strike for benefits

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jul2005/lab-j09.shtml

Cebu hotel workers defy anti-strike order

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jun2005/labo-j18.shtml

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jun2005/labo-j11.shtml

Rattan furniture makers strike

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jun2005/labo-j11.shtml

GSIS workers protest corruption

Health workers protest for pay increase

Retrenched garment workers demand entitlements

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/lab-m14.shtml

Plantation workers storm labour office

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/labo-m07.shtml

Transport workers protest over fuel prices

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/apr2005/lab-a23.shtml

As Nestle strike continues, trade unionist is murdered

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/nestle/

Protest marks anniversary of martial law

http://news.inq7.net/top/index.php?index=1&story_id=50777

Sacked university workers call for
solidarity
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ilo/2005/04/29/news/university.protesters.call.for.support.html
Workers and opposition groups rally on Mayday
There are some clashes with cops as workers marched
against the government
http://news.inq7.net/top/index.php?index=1&story_id=35321
http://www.metronews.ca/reuters_international.asp?id=70753
Transport strike
http://au.news.yahoo.com/050418/19/u0cj.html
http://au.news.yahoo.com/050418/3/u0ql.html

Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino
63 Unrubia St. Bgy. Marilag, Proj. 4, Quezon City
Tel. No. 9950849; 9950850
PRESS RELEASE
30 April 2005

Nationwide protests to mark May Day

Jobs, trade union rights, delivery from poverty and hunger, social change.  These will be organized labor's battle cry this coming Labor Day.

Disgusted over the government's failure to address the pressing demand for wage increases in the face of endless oil price hikes and the rising cost of public services like power and water, the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) vowed to mobilize thousands of their members nationwide to street marches and rallies.

Protest actions will be held in Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Cebu City, Davao City and Iligan.

In Manila, BMP and PM will be joining the Broad Alliance for Workers' Interest (BAWI) in a march from Welcome Rotonda to Mendiola.

In a build up to Labor Day celebration, some 300 women workers under the BMP-Kababaihan lighted torch and held a noise barrage at Welcome Rotunda this afternoon, assailing the Arroyo administration for playing deaf and blind to the plight of the workers in the midst of the deepening economic and social crisis.

"Workers nationwide demand across-the-board wage increases.  What we got are more price increases and new taxes (VAT)," BMP chair Victor Briz, said. 

Briz pointed out that for more than a decade, Congress and the regional wage boards miserably failed to adjust minimum wage levels any nearer to the cost of living.  The current minimum wage remains at P250 (excluding ECOLAs) in NCR while the cost of living is at P600 a day.

"Until when shall we wait for this usual crumb? When we, the horses of production, are already dead?", asked Briz.

Aside from their pressing demand for wage increase, labor groups also demand the immediate stop to deregulation, privatization and liberalization policies which have created massive dislocations of workers and farmers - the root cause of perennial unemployment, rising cost of living and deteriorating social services.

Workers also accused the Arroyo administration of perpetuating the policy of cheap labor by fixing wages to the barest minimum and denying workers, through stringent laws, the full freedom to organize, collectively bargain, and to strike,"

Of the more than 16 million wage and salaried workers, only 1.6 million are organized in about 17,000 unions, while only 555,000 workers are covered by CBAs.

"Instead of giving full protection to labor as mandated by the Constitution, the government and capitalists are rather using all repressive laws, the courts, and the police in suppressing workers' legitimate rights to organize and to strike.  In fact, harassments and deaths meted those who dare to fight for their rights," said Briz, citing the Hacienda Luisita case.

Briz said past and present governments apply the same policies, the GMA administration clearly being the staunchest ally of business and international capital.  As such, labor groups, he said, are not expecting any better under Arroyo's administration and this rotten system of imperialist globalization.

"But we will not give up our fight for bread and freedom, however deaf and numb this government is," he declared.

"Nevertheless, we already have realized that the ultimate way to solve the present and recurring crisis is the road of political and social change in the country. Until the establishment of a democratic government of workers and of the people," Briz concluded.

EAST TIMOR:  Thousands rally in church-led reform protests - initially organised around reactionary religious issues but also encompassing dictatorial government attitudes

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/VBOL-6BLDBL?OpenDocument

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/04/20/2003251223

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1349036.htm

Catholic education demos take up social justice issues

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/624/624p16b.htm

INDONESIA:  Journalists protest court verdict against colleagues

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=24437

 Protests against Israel

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level.php?cat=Trends&loid=8.0.151918944&par=0

Workers protest low pay at sugar factory

http://www.nosweat.org.uk/article.php?sid=1334&mode=thread&order=0

Hundreds of farmers protest against water privatisation

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/1909

Major strike at garment sweatshop in Jakarta

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/2011

Crap arrest of eco-warrior leads to unrest in court

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/2200

Hundreds rally in Jakarta for peace in Aceh

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/633/633p20.htm

Gamblers protest over ban

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/2201

Workers occupy Gap factory

http://www.nosweat.org.uk/article.php?sid=1282

http://www.nosweat.org.uk/article.php?sid=1293

http://www.nosweat.org.uk/article.php?sid=1316

http://www.workersliberty.org/node/view/4341

Strike at garment factory

http://www.workersliberty.org/node/view/4237

Strike at Puma factory

http://www.nosweat.org.uk/article.php?sid=1259

Rail workers protest over downgrading of status

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jul2005/labo-j23.shtml

Textile workers rally for reinstatement

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/lab-m21.shtml

Mayday rallies across Indonesia demand improved pay and conditions

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/labo-m07.shtml

Activists resist evictions in Sulawesi

http://www.antiimperialista.com/view.shtml?category=9&id=1117574292&keyword=+

Palestine solidarity protests in Jakarta, Aceh and nationwide

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level.php?cat=Trends&loid=8.0.151918944&par=0

http://www.aljazeerah.info/April%202005%20News/18%20n/Indonesians%20in%20Various%20Cities%20Protest%20Israeli%20Threats%20to%20Al-Aqsa%20Mosque.htm

http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_service/middle_east_full_story.asp?service_id=7942

http://www.zeenews.com/links/articles.asp?aid=212415&sid=WOR

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/News/2005/04/18/1002012-sun.html

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2005/April/theworld_April387.xml&section=theworld

Street vendors block roads in eviction protests

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/2755

Farmers protest for land reform

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/2751

Peasants and urban poor protest at parliament over violent attacks by corporate goons

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/message/2747

Hundreds rally in 10 cities against fuel price rise

2000 march on Presidential Palace in Jakarta, while elsewhere police fight protesters trying to storm petrol stations

http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=252450&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__business/

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/09/30/2003273817

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level.php?cat=Politics&loid=8.0.213805650&par=0

INDONESIA

=================^========================================

I N D O L E F T  -  News service  > >

=================^========================================

Compilation of articles on May Day commemorations

================================================= 

- Peaceful actions greet international Labour Day

- May Day, thousands of workers rally in Bandung

- Thousands of workers inundate Central Jakarta on May Day

- Workers blockade road in front of mayor's office in 

Malang

- Makassar workers pelt effigies of Yudhoyono-Kalla with 

bottles and stones

- Thousands gather to commemorate May Day in Jakarta

-------------------------------------------------------

Peaceful actions greet international Labour Day

Tempo Interactive - May 1, 2005

Deni Mukbar/Siswanto, Jakarta - May Day was commemorated 

today by hundreds of workers and mass organisations from 

Greater Jakarta at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in 

Central Jakarta.

The action, which began at around 10am, was joined by a 

number of organisations including the Indonesian 

Association of Trade Workers (ASPEK) and Student's 

Solidarity for the People (SMUR) who called for 

improvements to workers' welfare and the proper application 

of the law on labour affairs.

Meanwhile at 11.20am, another mass organisations calling 

themselves the United People's Alliance held an action at 

the State Palace calling on the government and President 

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to strengthen domestic industries. 

Other demands including opposing the use of contract 

workers and improvements to the performance of national 

industries. 

Since 7am in the satellite city of Bekasi, workers from a 

number of organisations had packed roads leading towards 

Jakarta concentrating in at number of points such as the 

Social Affairs Department in front of the Bekasi regional 

government offices.

The coalition of workers came from the Bekasi branch of the 

National Workers Union (SPN), the Bekasi branch of the 

Association of Indonesian Trade Unions (GSBI), the Permindo 

Oil Trading Workers Association, the PT Hirose Electric 

Indonesia Trade Union and other trade unions from the 

Bekasi regency.

Prior to this, they commemorated May Day by holding a long-

march through Bekasi but delayed holding a demonstration as 

they plan to this later at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout.

------------------------------------------------------- 

May Day, thousands of workers rally in Bandung

Detik.com - May 1, 2005

Ahmad Yunus, Bandung - May Day was also commemorated by 

workers in the West Java provincial of Bandung. Around 

3,000 works spilled into the streets of Bandung organising 

a long-march and convoy.

Demonstrators began gathering at the Monument to the 

People's Struggle on Jalan Dipati Ukur at around 8am where 

they gave speeches in which they called for workers welfare 

to be improved. They also rejected the use of contract 

labour. A number of banners and posters were brought to the 

action with messages such as "Reject Cheap Wages" and 

"Abolish Contract Labour Systems".

The demonstrators then held a long-march and convoy from 

Jalan Dipati Ukur via Jalan H Juanda and Jalan Diponegoro. 

At 11.40 demonstrators were still at the Radio Republic 

Indonesia building on Jalan Diponegoro where they plan to 

broadcast their demands though the radio station.

The workers came from a number of organisations including 

the National Workers Union, the West Java National Trade 

Union Congress Alliance, the Greater Bandung Employees 

Brotherhood Forum and the Indonesian Association of Free 

Trade Unions.

The long-march and convoy resulted in traffic jams and a 

number of places such as Jalan Supratman were even closed 

off by police. (asy)

-------------------------------------------------------

Thousands of workers inundate Central Jakarta on May Day

Detik.com - May 1, 2005

Iqbal Fadil, Jakarta - Commemorating May Day on May 1, 

thousands of workers inundated the Hotel Indonesia 

roundabout in Central Jakarta resulting in a massive 

traffic jam on Jalan Sudirman.

The workers, who were from a number of trade unions from 

Jakarta and the satellite cities of Bogor, Tangerang and 

Bekasi, arrived at the roundabout at around 9am on Sunday.

At around 10am they began leaving the roundabout to march 

to the State Palace so right now the Hotel Indonesia 

roundabout and Jalan Thamrin is filled with a sea of 

people.

To get to the State Palace on Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara, 

they used all of the lanes on Jalan Thamrin except the 

busway and as a result traffic on Jalan Sudirman between 

Senayan and Hotel Indonesia came to a total standstill. The 

busway was intentionally left empty but ended up being used 

by private vehicles and ordinary buses.

Workers brought a number of banners, their trade union 

flags and the majority wore headbands. In addition to those 

going on foot, a number of workers also traveled in a 

convoy of motorcycles.

A number of demands were taken up for this May Day: that 

May 1 become a labour day and national holiday; an end to 

mass dismissals; an end to the use of contract labour; the 

repeal of Law Number 13/2003 on Labour Affairs, Law Number 

2/2004 on the Settlement of Industrial Disputes and Law 

Number 39/2004 on the Protection of Migrant Workers; 

upholding and protecting the freedom of workers to form 

trade unions; establishing mechanisms to protect Indonesian 

migrant workers and their families and; providing free 

education, health and cheep housing for the poor.

They also called on all parties to end violence against and 

the trafficking of women and children, an end to 

privatisation and the sale of state assets, the arrest and 

trial of corrupters and the seizure of their assets, 

bringing employers to trial who violate workers and an end 

to interference by the IMF, World Bank, the Consultative 

Group on Indonesia and the Asia Development Bank in 

national economic policy. (asy)

-------------------------------------------------------

Workers blockade road in front of mayor's office in Malang

Detik.com - May 1, 2005

Budi Hartadi, Malang - Thousands of workers in East Java 

city of Malang commemorated May Day by blockading the road 

in front of the mayor's office on Jalan Tugu.

As well as the demonstration in front of the mayor's office 

workers also held an action in the grounds of the Gajayana 

Stadium and the Malang City square.

During the action workers called on the government to make 

May 1 a national holiday and for the government to 

immediately abolish all anti-worker policies which are 

contained in Law Number 13/2003 on Labour Affairs and Law 

Number 2/2004 on the Settlement of Industrial Disputes as 

well as an end to liberalisation in the labour sector.

"Workers are being dismissed, workers' wages do not conform 

to the minimum regional wage and fuel price increase 

indicate that the government of President Susilo Bambang 

Yudhoyono and Vice-president Jusuf Kalla are puppets of 

imperialism", shouted a worker during a speech.

As well as giving speeches, they also brought a number of 

posters with the messages such as "Stop fuel price 

increases", "Increase workers' wages" and "Fuel price 

increase are further strangling the working class".

The action was also joined by a number of activists from 

the Joint People's Movement against Fuel Price Increases, 

the People's Democratic Action Committee, Indonesian Labour 

Solidarity for Struggle and the Malang branch of the All 

Indonesia Trade Union.

Although the action proceeded in an orderly manner, 

hundreds of police officers were deployed to maintain 

security and supervise the hundreds of workers 

commemorating May Day. (asy)

-------------------------------------------------------

Makassar workers pelt effigies of Yudhoyono-Kalla with 

bottles and stones

Detik.com - May 1, 2005

Gunawan Mashar, Makassar - Like pelting the holy wall with 

stones to excise evil. That's what it was like at a 

demonstration in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of 

Makassar during the commemoration of May Day - they pelted 

effigies of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice-

president Jusuf Kalla with bottles of Aqua and stones.

Actions by workers commemorating May Day on Sunday were 

held in a number of places. As well as workers, students 

from a number of other organisations also took to the 

streets.

One of the places used by demonstrators was the Reformasi 

toll road where hundreds of workers and students from the 

United Student Worker Front (FBMB) linked up with the 

Association of Islamic Students (HMI) and demonstrated by 

'sleeping' in the middle of the toll road intersection.

Their action was carried out as a symbol that workers no 

longer trust the Yudhoyono-Kalla government and that since 

they took office workers have continued to have no power 

and are still left to flounder with no clear future. As a 

result of the action traffic on road leading to the 

Reformasi toll road slowed to a crawl.

Demonstrators had also made effigies with pictures of 

Yudhoyono and Kalla that were pelted with bottles of Aqua 

and stones. This act was a symbol of protest against the 

president and vice-president.

At around 11am demonstrators left the Reformasi toll road 

and are currently travelling towards the Karebosi Square to 

meet up with other workers who will arrive from other 

locations.

Each year Karebosi Square is a focal point for workers 

commemorating May 1. As of going to print around 500 

workers had already gathered and this will increase because 

many are still on their way such as workers who had 

gathered at the Makassar Industrial Zone on Jalan Ir Sutami 

who are now on their way to the square.

Hundreds of police officers have been put on alert to 

maintain security during the demonstrations. (asy)

-------------------------------------------------------

Thousands gather to commemorate May Day in Jakarta

Tempo Interactive - May 1, 2005

AJI/AT, Jakarta - The commemoration of international labour 

day (May Day) in Jakarta today involved thousands of 

workers and other social organisations such as students, 

the urban poor, farmers and women.

The participants had been commemorating May Day since 

10.30am by holding a people's theater at the Hotel 

Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta then marching to 

the State Palace.

This May Day the teams raised were national 

industrialisation for the people as an alternative economic 

concept to resolve welfare problems that have yet to be 

solved by the government of President Susilo Bambang 

Yudhoyono and Vice-president Jusuf Kalla.

National industrialisation is industrialisation that gets 

rid of the neoliberal framework and must be carried put by 

a clean, democratic, modern, independent and populist 

government. The Yudhoyono administration has no commitment 

to implement industrialisation that is truly free from the 

interests of neoliberalism.

Action commemorating labour day, May 1, were also held in 

the satellite city of Tangerang (Cisadane/KBC Worker 

Committee), in Jakarta (Indonesian Transportation Trade 

Union for Struggle, SBTPI) and dominated by opposition to 

illegal payments at the North Jakarta port of Tanjung Priok 

and in the satellite city of Bekasi in front of the 

Indomobil car factory followed by a march to Bekasi's 

Tongyang industrial zone.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

=================^========================================

I N D O L E F T  -  News service  > >

=================^========================================

United People's Alliance demonstrates against neoliberalism

Detik.com - April 20, 2005

Dian Intannia, Jakarta - Around 30 student activists, rural 

workers and urban-poor activists from the United People's 

Alliance (Aliansi Rakyat Bersatu, ARB) are demanding that 

the government apply the concept of national 

industrialisation. The oppose the concepts of neoliberalism 

and global capitalism which is being applied by the 

government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY).

This opposition was conveyed at demonstration held in front 

of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) 

building on Jalan Taman Suropati in Jakarta on Wednesday 

April 20.

"SBY should put into place a national industrialisation 

[program] based on [concepts of] independence, democracy, 

populism, modernism, transparency and internationalism", 

said ARB's public relations officer Lukman Hakim during 

break in the demonstration.

According to Hakim who is also a deputy-chairperson of the 

People's Democratic Party, to date the concepts which have 

been applied by the government such as investment by 

foreign capital have been unproductive. This has also 

occurred with the privatisation of state owned enterprises 

(BUMN).

He then gave as an example foreign investment in the mining 

field such as the gold mining firm PT Newmont Minahasa Raya 

which has had no positive influence on ordinary people and 

has instead has caused environmental damage. "SBY should 

put into place a people-orientated industrialisation which 

is based on domestic potential, not neoliberalism", he 

said.

SBY he continued, should be able to use the reconstruction 

of Aceh as a impetus for domestic industrialisation. If SBY 

was astute, he could use Aceh to reinvigorate domestic 

industries, where the development based on the Aceh blue-

print for reconstruction can take advantage of domestic 

markets as the principle foundation.

This however said Hakim, can only occur under preconditions 

where a peaceful conditions must be created in Aceh. One of 

these is by implementing a cease-fire between the armed 

separatist Free Aceh Movement while at the same time 

pursuing diplomatic efforts.

During the action the alliance also demanded a meeting with 

Bappenas officials to convey their desires and to demand 

that the government put into place a social subsidy program 

to cover the people's basic needs such as subsidising 

energy, electricity, housing, agriculture, education and 

health care which the government is obliged to do.

They also called for abolishing contract labour and ending 

dismissals though a subsidy program, canceling the foreign 

debt, rejecting privatisation and the sale of state assets 

along with seizing the wealth of corrupters which could be 

taken to subsidise the needs of domestic industrialisation.

While the action was taking place, Bappenas officials 

headed by the state minister of national development 

planning and head of Bappenas, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, were 

actually in the middle of a meeting so only Bappenas' 

director of industry, Lucky Eko Wurdoyo, was prepared to 

meet with them later at 1pm. (umi)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

INDONESIA

Textile workers on strike 

City News - May 12, 2005 

BOGOR: Representatives of about 6,000 workers of textile producer PT Great River Indonesia staged a rally at the Bogor Council on Wednesday, demanding that councillors force the company to reemploy their colleagues.

"We will continue the strike until we reach an agreement with the company," a worker, Martanto, said. 

The workers were protesting PT Great River's decision to lay off some 700 workers on May 9 and, according to them, had cut their monthly salary in half. 

"The company always claims losses, but production is still going on, we still receive a lot of orders ... Every time we ask the executives to show us the financial reports, they always refuse," Martanto added. 

The company produces shirts and lingerie for export to the U.S., Italy, Australia and Japan. 

The company's human resources officer, Harun Hutapea, deplored the strike, saying that the company needed the workers' moral support to get fresh capital. -- JP

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