October 6, 2006

Dear friends,

Our warmest greetings!The Workers Assistance Center, Inc, (WAC) is requesting for your prompt solidarity action in sending out protest letters regarding the o­n-going strike and rampant workers rights violations in two unions namely - Nagkakaisang Manggagawa sa Chong Won (NMCW) and Kaisahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Phils Jeon, Inc. (KMPJI) at the Cavite Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) in Rosario, Cavite.We are also requesting you to send protest letters to the respective Philippine embassies and consular offices in your countries as well as Korean embassies and consular offices asking them to implement corrective measures o­n the attitude and behavior of the Korean foreign investors abroad.

You can also sign to our o­nline petition at: http://www.petitiononline.com/wac925/petition.html

When South Korea joined the Organization of Economic and Commercial Development (OECD) in 1996, there was much hoopla and expectations. To the international community it appeared that South Korea was o­n the brink of shedding is shameful image of dictatorship that undermined democracy and fundamental trade union rights. At the time, South Korea had agreed that it would amend its existing labour legislation in line with existing international labour standards and OECD guidelines. However, ten years later, South Korea has still a long way to go. The recent repressive actions of the South Korean government under the Roh Moon Hyun administration clearly shows that South Korea has failed as an economically developed democratic country in ensuring fundamental trade union rights according to international labour standards.

In March of this year, the Governing Body of the ILO approved the interim report made by the Committee o­n Freedom of Association. Apparently, the South Korea case was the longest of outstanding case within the CFA aside from o­ne filed against Columbia. The recommendations raised serious concerns o­n the government�s repressions against trade unions, specifically the Korean Government Employees Union (KGEU) and the Korean Federation of Construction Industry Trade Unions (KFCITU). However, the government not o­nly has refused to implement these recommendations but more importantly it has chosen to intensify its attacks o­n the KGEU and the KFCITU, thus, snubbing its �nose� to international labour standards.

What the union members of the KGEU Gyeongnam Jinju Chapter, which had protected the union office from the attacks by the riot police and the authority, faced in the morning of September 28 were much more riot policemen packed up around the building and a ladder truck outside. At 06:10, the union members and solidarity organisations members who held a protest sit-in overnight were forcefully pulled out o­ne by o­ne. Till 07:00, the union office was taken over by the riot police and authority.The same happened to the KGEU Gyeonggi Siheung Chapter and Gwangmyeong Chapter. From the dawn of September 28, the attacks started. It didn�t take more than an hour. 2 members from the KGEU Gwangmyeong Chapter were hospitalised. At the same time, the KGEU RDA Chapter was also being attacked. The RDA (Rural Development Administration) is a research institute under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. After the directive o­n March 22 by the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs was issued, the new administrator had broken agreements with the union and refused any negotiations. A peaceful protest rally by the KGEU o­n May 25 in front of the RDA had been attacked by the riot police and hundreds of the union members had been arrested. o­n September 8, the 7 leaders of the KGEU RDA Chapter were dismissed.

The KGEU held a mass rally o­n September 9th in Changwon, Gyeongnam-do (province, south western part of Korea), where the KGEU Gyeongnam Regional Branch office were forcefully closed down o­n August 30, while the ILO Asian Regional Meeting was held in Busan, Korea.The Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs (MOGAHA) claimed that the rally was illegal activities and that all the government employees participating would be taken to disciplines. Despite that the rally was legally notified to the police in advance, the MOGAHA insisted that government employees' participating was illegal and that should be blocked.

Dear friends of the international civil society,

We would like you to join our action against the injustice of a HK Company called GP Battery Ltd. We will have a three-day action against GP

1. September 12

a. Welcome the mainland ex-GP workers to come to HK to fight for their rights and compensation at 3pm at the Kowloon Railway Station.

b. Announce the activities of the three day action to the press.

2. September 13

24 hour Action �Sept 13-14 3pm at the entrance of the venue of the GP Shareholder Meeting�Protest against GP not to pay fair and decent compensation to workers.

Major demands:

1. Fair compensation for GP workers infected with excessive cadmium.

2. Demand GP CEO and a member of Executive Member of HKSAR government, Victor Lo to resign from EXCO.

3. September 14

For security reason, the actual action will be announced later.

What you can do to support the GP workers?

PSI is requesting its affiliates to send letters of protest to the government of South Korea to register their serious concern about the deterioration of the situation of trade union rights for public sector workers and the increase in repression by the Korean Government against PSI's affiliate, the Korean Government Employees Union (KGEU). Despite repeated recommendations and protests from the international community to stop repression and to guarantee government employees' trade union rights, the Korean government has constantly proceeded with actions aimed at destroying the KGEU. The government repression o­n the KGEU has continued and even seriously deteriorated while the ILO Asia Regional Meeting is being held in Busan, Korea.

Dear Friends

Greetings!

I would like to inform you that INTERNATIONAL APPAREL (Pvt) Ltd. situated in Kot Lakhpat area Lahore, Pakistan manufacturing garments, exporting to America, UK and other European countries, have employed 200 women workers and 50 male workers.

The workers tried to form union under the Industrial Relation Ordinance (IRO) with the assistance of All Pakistan Trade Union Federation. The employer locked out the factory and turned out all the workers from the factory without giving any written notice. The owner has not paid salary from December 2005 to March 2006. Workers held a meeting in the federation office and decided to approach the court of law for payment of wages. So now the management, instead of paying the dues of workers, is harassing their families and compelling them to withdraw the cases from the court. They are threatening to abduct women workers. Due to this, the poor workers are very frightened and are not living in their houses but living with their relatives.

Publicis Thailand, the Thai subsidiary of French-based global public relations giant Publicis Groupe (with revenues of �3.83 billion in 2004) has charged Junya Lek Yimprasert, coordinator of the Thai Labour Campaign (TLC), with "defamation by propagation." Yimprasert's "crime" was republishing an article from CSR Asia Weekly o­n the TLC website about an unfair dismissal case filed by five workers against the public relations company. If convicted Yimprasert faces a possible jail sentence, payment of monetary damages, and limitations o­n her/TLC's important labor rights work. Your action is needed today to help get Publicis to drop this lawsuit.

I would like to inform you about the violation of Cambodia Labor law and the freedom of trade union rights in the Flying dragon III factory. Following are the facts:

From 1997 to 2004 around 2000 workers have been working for the Flying dragon III factory, with time unlimited contracts. In September 2005, three trade union leaders, the president, the vice president and the secretary general were dismissed by the employer of Flying dragon III factory. After dismissing leaders of the local union, a membership organization of the central organization C.CAWDU ( Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union), the employer cheated the workers by changing the labour contract from unlimited duration contract to fixed duration contract, mostly two or three-month contracts. With this contract, around 2000 of workers in the factory lost a lot of benefits, for example annual leave and attendance bonus (5 USD per month).

From 22-25 of February, the Filipino people celebrated the anniversary of the "EDSA People Power" in the Philippines which ousted the dictator Ferdinand Marcos 20 years ago. Thousands of people were o­n the streets o­n these days, living the spirit of the EDSA as they marched and called for the stepping down of yet another growing authoritarian president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In defiance of the spirit of power to the people and democracy itself, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared the Philippines in "the state of emergency" with Proclamation 1017, citing a "clear and present danger" posed by the alliance between forces from the extreme left and the military. This proclamation has been challenged by members of the Philippine Senate and declared as unconstitutional by various groups of lawyers. Leaders of progressive groups and party-list members were arrested, in addition to the list of demonstrators who were picked up and detained from the various big protest actions. o­ngoing crackdown o­n people�s organisations and progressive NGOs are taking place, coming out with a list of people to be arrested for "acts of sedition." Military officials alleged to be involved in the plot to stage a coup de tat have been arrested. Demonstrations, led by progressive groups from the people�s movement, supported and joined in by thousands of ordinary citizens, have been violently dispersed; all permits for demonstrations have been revoked. A national newspaper has been raided and taken over "because it was a possible source of destabilization materials." A warning has been issued that "the police will take over news groups that will not conform to standards set by the government."

This act of desperation of Arroyo to suppress the growing movement calling for her to step down shows that it is her administration which is in "the state of emergency."

They�ve o­nly got my limbs, I have still got my voice - can still sing. Two hands and a leg amputated. The remaining limb yet to heal, has turned gangrenous and may also have to be removed. His kidneys have been damaged due to excessive bleeding and he can hardly eat and digest any food. And yet defiance still sparkles in the eyes of Bant Singh, a Dalit agricultural labour activist, as he lies in the trauma ward of a state-run hospital in Chandigarh where doctors are battling to save his o­nly remaining leg and even his life.

The freedom of association for workers in Indonesia has o­nce again been violated. PT.Sinar Apparel International has violated ILO Convention Number 87 and ILO Convention Number 98. PT.Sinar Apparel International produces for prominent garment brands such as Marks&Spencer, GAP, John Apparel. The management has retrenched trade union leader, Arifin (a.k.a. Emon). The company reported against him to the police. He has been blamed for taking photos inside the factory. This is a common among workers and there has been no punishment for this act before. It is clear that the company was just searching for some excuse to terminate him.

We are calling for the international community to express your outrage to the Hong Kong government and the Hong Kong police by calling for the immediate release of the 14 WTO political prisoners. We are asking individuals and organizations to participate in a variety of activities that we are launching in conjunction with the Hunger Strike by the WTO Political Prisoners.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

International Support Letter Writing Campaign

Write to Donald Tsang calling for the immediate release of the 14 WTO Political Prisoners. Please see the enclosed sample letter. Send copies of all letters to the International Committee for the Immediate Release of the WTO political prisoners at

[email protected] and [email protected].


Coordinate an International Day of Action

We are calling for interested organizations and individuals to coordinate a protest rally in front of the Chinese Embassy o­n Monday, January 9, 2006 at 12:00 pm. In addition to the rally, we urge people to meet with embassy officials calling for the immediate release of the 14 WTO Political Prisoners.

Please send all information of international day of actions to

[email protected] and [email protected]

Further to the urgent action petition posted o­n our website, we came to know that o­n October 25, 2005, Ka Ricardo Ramos, president of the Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labour Union (CATLU) was killed by suspected military agents. Soon this was followed by another horrible news: Franciso Rivera, Bayan and Bayan Muna leader in Pampanga, with friends Dr. Angel David, a dentist, and Mr Jon Sabas were sprayed with bullets while jogging o­n October 26. All dead.

Please send your urgent message of condemnation and other actions directed to Gen. Jovito Palparan, the Commanding General in the region, the Cojuangcos and most especially to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Commander in Chief over all these brutal killings and repression in the Philippines.

It is very crucial that more people are mobilized to take action. This kind of inane killing cannot be tolerated. Let us all hope that our collective action would save the lives of our brothers and sisters in the Philippines.

CAW along with KAIROS strongly condemns the rise of political killings in the Philippines. We urge the Government of the Philippines to stop the senseless killings of church people, human rights advocates, journalists, and political activists. Almost 100 activists, religious leaders, human rights defenders and trade union leaders have been killed since the beginning of this year. We ask you to take a moment and send letters to the Philippines embassy in your country. Your solidarity is needed in this moment of crisis.

Appeal Letter to Reinstate Agus Wahyuni

TO HSBC JAKARTAATTN: RICHARD McHOWATTFAX NUMBER +62 21 5211103

Dear All,

HSBC-Jakarta is anti-UNION. More than 100 workers were dismissed in 1996, including all unionists, due to their struggle for the betterment. The union has been silent for long time. Era of 'Reformasi' encouraged few workers of HSBC to reactivate the unions by replacing the pro-HSBC leaders. o­ne of prominent organisers, Agus Wahyuni (Vice President of HSBC Union), was dismissed in November 2001. She has been fighting for 4 years in labour settlement committee, and just last week she appealed to supreme court. She has also brought the dispute before the Police for violation of freedom of association.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO REINSTATE AGUS WAHYUNI

BY SENDING PROTEST LETTERS (letter also o­n the website, just add your organisational name)

TO HSBC GROUP HEAD OFFICE;

ATTN: Sir JOHN BOND

FAX NUMBER +44 2079914922

TO HSBC JAKARTA

ATTN: RICHARD McHOWATT

FAX NUMBER +62 21 5211103

In Solidarity.

CENTRAL COMMITTEE of CONGRES OF INDONESIAN UNIONS ALLIANCE (KASBI)

COMMITTEE FOR ASIAN WOMEN (CAW)

Dear friends,Militant greetings from All Pakistan Trade Union Federation.As you all know that the management of Capital Industry (Pvt) Ltd is constantly violating labor laws, not allowing workers to practice their very legal right of collective bargaining. Management of Capital Industry Pvt. Ltd. is constantly attacking o­n workers right, and not accepting their demands. They hire goons men to harass union avtivists and using all the tactics to bust trade union.

As campaign for demands of workers of Capital Industries have started earlier, with briefs and update about situation, but inspite of workers struggle locally and international solidarity, mangement and government authorities still not look serious in solving out this issue, and adopting delay tactics.

To support the struggle of Capital Industry Workers, we request you to immediately send protest messages to Chief Executive of Capital Industries (name, adress, fax etc. given).

Militant greetings from All Pakistan Trade Union Federation!

I would like to briefly introduce that All Pakistan Trade Union Federation is a National Trade Union Center in Pakistan, having affiliation of 240 trade unions of public and private sector industries and commercial institutions. The informal sector unions, brick kilns workers and general laborers are also part of federation. APTUF is also struggling to eliminate child/bonded labor and all kinds of discrimination against workers (women & men) and striving hard to uplift the working and living condition of down trodden segment of the society.

Workers of Pakistan are facing worst working conditions including long working hours, low wages and no freedom of association. As labor laws existing in country ensure rights to workers including freedom of unionization and collective bargaining, but this is o­nly in books. Practically, there is no or very few implementation of labor laws, without any freedom of association. Unfortunately approach and attitude of government authorities and employers towards workers is very unsupported, not allowing workers to practice their very legal right of trade union and collective bargaining. The union submitted a Workers Charter of Demands to Capital Industry�s� management, so encounter, the management also serve the demand notice to union demanding to reduce the wages and other facilities. Management main purpose to harass the union leaders to withdraw its Demand Notice or make the agreement according to Management wishes. This action of the management clearly violating ILO Conventions 98 and 87, Constitution of Pakistan as well as the Industrial Relation Ordinance 2002.

Brief Scenario of Workers Struggle /Challenges in Capital Industry (Pvt) Ltd.

Capital Industry (Pvt) Ltd. Manufacturing bicycles, located at Gulberg Industrial Area, Lahore, Pakistan. Employed nearly 600 workers. Capital Industry Workers Union is affiliated with All Pakistan Trade Union Federation, got success in referendum in April 2005, The management did not recognize the collective bargaining status of the union and used different tactics to harass the union leaders and workers. Union is peaceful element union tries to dialogue with the management for the acceptance of workers demand, but management does not recognize workers union, and instead of dialogue o­n demands, threatens the workers/union office bearers not to pursue the demand notice. And terminated 24 workers and six office bearers

Dear Friends,At a time when we are locked in bitter battle for survival, with the GP Garments (We have reasons to believe number of BFTZ companies have formed an underground group to bust Progress Union) your message of solidarity and protest letters to appropriate authorities would give us some courage and boost the morale of our activists. So far we received o­nly a couple ofmessages or interventions o­n our behalf. We urge you to act o­n this matter.UPDATE:An inquiry was held today, (1/4/2005) before the Asst. Commissioner of Labour, at 2.30 p.m. local time, to inquire into our complaint of LOCKOUT. All our 600 members came to Colombo in 4 buses and held picket, against the unfair labour practices of GP Garments, in front of the Ministry of Labour / Labour Dept. (for 5 hours - 12.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.) where the inquiry took place.

The government is allowing these killings to occur

More than 47 assassinations have occurred since 1 January this year

The government has done nothing to bring those who are responsible to account

All victims have been involved with progressive groups

They were all respected leaders within their communities

Send protest letters to the Philippine government:

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,

President of the Republic

Malacanang Palace,

JP Laurel St, San Miguel Manila,

Philippines

Fax: (+632) 742 1641 / 929 3968

Demand that the government stop these killings

Demand that those responsible be brought to justice

More information: http://www.philonline.com.ph/~krptn/index.html

Dear Friends,We come to you with an URGENT APPEAL for your help to meet the Union Busting Agenda of G.P Garments (P) Ltd, Export Processing Zone, Biyagama, Sri Lanka.Yesterday (23rd March) personnels from Special Task Force of the Police Department entered the Factory at Biyagama and interrogated the Chief Organizer Anura Kirithi Rajah of the branch union and threatened him with life alleging that he had connections with the underworld.

Since the CCC's original request for action in relation to this case, there has not been substantial progress made o­n the part of the companies involved in addressing the workers demands. Therefore at this time the CCC is calling for increased action o­n this case.Since the last update, o­ne of the workers, Mr. Pragun Boomluom, was transferred back to his original post at the factory, while Ms. Mala Phosit, o­ne of the three activists who was dismissed, was forced to accept severance pay from the factory due to her desperate financial situation.

Once demands were put forth to employers to observe the labour laws and to provide a monthly payment of 300 baht for a pregnant female employee, workers in Korat have been subjected to harrassment in various forms.The Ministry of Labour is being implored to ensure that workers' rights are properly protected.

On 29 October 2004, three executives of a recently formed union at MSP Sportswear in Thailand were dismissed. Since then, the remaining nine executives in the plant have been subjected to constant harassment and have been prevented from carrying out their union activities. In the period since the dismissal there have been several meetings between the union executives, the local organization supporting them (CLIST), government officials and the main buyer, Nike. So far this has not resulted in any real progress, even though the conciliator from the Labour and Welfare department personally advised that the fired unionexecutives should be rehired. The other buyer, the French company Decathlon, has reportedly sent an audit team, but has not made direct contact with CLIST or the union.