Publicis Thailand, the Thai subsidiary of French-based global public relations giant Publicis Groupe has withdrawn its libel lawsuit against Junya Yimprasert (fondly known as Lek), coordinator of the Thai Labour Campaign (TLC). Lek had been charged with "defamation by propagation" after the TLC website republished a CSR Asia Weekly article about an unfair dismissal case filed by Publicis Thailand employees. Following an international campaign calling upon Publicis to unconditionally drop their suit against Lek, o­n June 20th Publicis lawyers withdrew the suit from Bangkok�s Southern Criminal Court.

The Karmojibi Nari, a Dhaka-based non-government organisation, expressed apprehension that the upcoming mini ministerial of the World Trade Organisation in Geneva would sideline the interests of the least developed countries.

The organisation also said that draft texts to determine modalities o­n farm subsidies and industrial tariff reduction, released o­n June 22, ignored some critical demands of the LDCs.

In a media briefing o­n Sunday, the organisation said that six global trading players known as G6�the United States, the European Union, India, Brazil, Australia and Japan�are leading the whole programme which would ultimately overlook the interest of the other member countries of the WTO.

The chairperson of the Karmojibi Nari, Shirin Akhter, spoke in the briefing while director Ziaul Haq Mukta read out written statement.

Karmojibi Nari was of the view that the proposal of the LDC group o­n modalities for non-agricultural market access (NAMA) is ignored in the daft text.

June 25- The Third National Women Workers' Conference concludes today in Kathmandu with a commitment towards women representation inclusive and participatory. The Conference started by paying tribute to the martyrs of the Loktantrik movement was inaugurated by GEFONT Chairman Comrade Mukunda Neupane.

"While reviewing the Peoples Movement II, known as Rhododendron Revolution, major mentionable aspect is the huge women participation never witnessed before in the history of Nepal" said chairman Neupane delivering his opening remarks. He congratulated entire women of Nepal o­n behalf of Nepali working class for the courageous participation for such a landmark change.

Crispin Beltran is a militant trade unionist in the Philippines. He is a member of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and was elected to the Philippines Congress.

In February Philippines President Gloria Arroyo declared a state of emergency and began a crackdown o­n political opponents in response to an alleged foiled military coup. Crispin Beltran was arbitrarily detained by the Arroyo administration o­n 25 February o­n charges that he was "part of a conspiracy to commit rebellion." These charges were never substantiated and the warrant used to arrest Beltran was dated back to 1985 - that is during the Marcos dictatorship.

We are looking for a woman who has at least 2 years book keeping and accounting background. She should be able to start immediately, is Thai speaking and fluent in English. She must be good in book keeping, have knowledge of the banking system in Thailand, able to use excel programme.

Experience of using a computer accounting package is an advantage.

She must be willing to learn and be trained and be part of a team.

Please write with your CV and a covering letter informing us of when you would be able to start and the salary you expect to Lucia Jayaseelan at [email protected]

CAW is a regional organisation working with rights issues affecting women workers in the Asia region. For further information please email or telephone Lucia Jayaseelan.

Committee for Asian Women

386/58

Soi Ratchadapisek 42

Ratchadapisek RoadLadyao,

Chatujak Bangkok 10900

Thailand

Tel: (662) 0 2930 5634/5

Fax (662) 0 2930 5633