Stories about Labor from March, 2012
Spain: General Strike Across Cities and Neighborhoods
Hundreds of people took the streets around cities and neighborhoods in Spain yesterday to participate in a general strike (29M) to protest against proposed government cuts to indispensable social services. March 29 became a new important date in the movements' agenda.
Spain: General Strike After Only 100 Days of Government
Spain's main trade unions have called a general strike for today, March 29, with the aim of paralyzing the country, and forcing the government to back down on implementing measures that will weaken workers' rights and cut social services.
The Cuba the Pope Leaves Behind
Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Cuba has come to an end, a visit bookended by the Castro brothers: President Raul Castro greeting the pontiff at the airport and Fidel Castro meeting with him before his departure. But bloggers are suggesting that despite the Pope's message of change and hope for the future, it looks like business as usual on the island.
Russia: Kenyans at Pro-Putin Rally Identified As Moscow Circus Acrobats
A month ago, the video of a group of anonymous Kenyan men, who allegedly participated in a pro-Putin rally, received much attention on the RuNet. One blogger recognized the Kenyans as the acrobats who had been brought to Moscow by the Russian circus authorities, to hone their skills and have them later perform here.
Video: Indigenous Communities Document their Growth and Governance
The Indigenous Territory and Governance Platform is made up of a series of institutions all working together to provide the indigenous people of Latin America the tools and resources to be able to strengthen the governance they have of their territory and their community. A series of short videos is used to document their progress. All links lead to Spanish language sites.
Italy: Protests Blaze Over High-Speed Rail to France
The last few weeks have been particularly important (and controversial) for the "No Tav" movement, which, since 1981, has opposed the construction of a high speed train line between Turin and Lyon. Alongside on-going protests, suppression and legal disagreements, activism and discussions blossom online.
Spain: Are You For or Against EuroVegas?
The CEO of Las Vegas Sands, multibillionaire Sheldon Adelson, has decided to establish his next hotel-casino complex EuroVegas in Spain. If the Spanish government seems enthusiastic about this project, the Spanish people are divided on the issue.
Colombia: Video Contrasts Ads Vs. Reality of Oil Extraction Companies
In Is Pacific Rubiales Really Colombia? [es] the people of Puerto Gaitán contradict the statements made by oil and mineral extraction corporation Pacific Rubiales’ television ads where community members state they are better off and happy with Pacific Rubiales.
Bolivia: Remembering Domitila Barrios de Chungara
Emily Achtenberg, in the blog Rebel Currents, profiles Domitila Barrios de Chungara, “long-time social activist, union leader, feminist, revolutionary, and national heroine who died March 13 in Cochabamba at age 74. She is best known as the miner’s wife who led a hunger strike in 1978 that brought down the...
Colombia: New Pension System ‘Colpensiones’ Sparks Protests
After the government announced the transfer of the Social Security Institute [es] (ISS), a public pension fund, to Colpensiones [es], the new state entity that will administer the pension system starting April 2, the Central Union of Workers (CUT) called for protests [es] that were carried [es] in different cities. This has...
South Korea: Major Network TV Journalists and Producers Joined Forces in Protest For Fair Journalism
Following MBC workers’ indefinite strike against the company president and his censorship of news contents, journalists, producers and union workers of other major TV networks have joined the protest calling for fair journalism. One well-known journalist appeared on this video clip [ko] that encourages people to attend a rally planned on...
Malaysia to Impose Minimum Wage Policy Soon
Malaysia has reportedly set a minimum wage policy for the first time in the country’s history. Netizens discuss whether the measure will be good for the economy.
Honduras: The Effects of Open-Pit Mining
Poet, activist and blogger Fabricio Estrada blogs [es] about the effects of open-pit mining in the town of San Ignacio, Honduras. His posts includes numerous photos of the town.
Unemployment Woes of Young Singaporeans
Gilbert Goh writes about the unemployment woes faced by young Singaporeans, in particular those who belong to the so-called Generation Y.
Lebanon: Is Social Media Useful?
“I always ask myself whether the Lebanese online community is actually making things better by raising awareness or is just trying to reach out to more people?” writes Najib questioning the usefulness of social media in inciting action rather than just being concerned with tweeting and blogging. His post was in reaction...
South Korea: Flight Attendants Demand Right To Wear Trousers
On International Women's Day, flight attendants from one of South Korea's major airlines held a press conference in front of airline headquarters to demand the right to wear trousers. Korean netizens came out in strong support.
South Korea: Journalists Stage Mass Walkout from National Broadcaster
Journalists of one of South Korea's biggest commercial television networks, the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), have been on indefinite strike since January 2012 demanding fair journalism free of political interference. On March 4, 2012, 166 journalists announced they would quit their jobs in protest.
Singapore: Domestic Workers Finally Get A Weekly Day Off
After a four-year campaign initiated by migrant worker NGOs, foreign domestic workers in Singapore will finally get a day off a week starting next year. But not everyone is happy about this new regulation.
China: Net Initiative to Help Occupational Lung Disease Sufferers
A netizen initiated charity project 'Love Save Pneumoconiosis', was launched in mid 2011, to help out sufferers of pneumoconiosis. This occupational lung disease, caused by inhalation of dust, particularly affects migrant labourers in rural China.
Guatemala: Empowering Communities Through Pedal Powered Machines
Maya Pedal is an organization in Guatemala that specializes in bringing progress through secondhand bicycles. Those that aren't usable as bicycles anymore get turned into pedal powered machines to help in daily work such as pumping water, grinding corn, blending, shelling nuts and making roof tiles.
