BRAIN
LABOR REPORT: 10 January 2018
BOLIVIA
U.K.
FCO ISSUES UPDATED TRAVEL ADVICE FOR BOLIVIA REGARDING DAKAR RALLY AND ONGOING
MEDICAL STRIKE
On 10 January 2018, the U.K. Foreign and
Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for Bolivia, which reads
as follows:
“The Dakar Rally will take place in Bolivia between
9-15 January; some roads will be closed and public transport may be disrupted.
“Ongoing strikes by medical professionals across
Bolivia have reduced services in public and private hospitals; some emergency
medical services may only be available on a limited basis; you should take
necessary precautions.” (10 Jan 2018)
BRAZIL
RIO
GRANDE DO NORTE DECLARES ‘STATE OF CALAMITY’ IN LIGHT OF ONGOING POLICE STRIKE
On 7 January 2018, the state of Rio Grande
do Norte declared a “state of calamity” for public security in light of the
ongoing police strike. Civil and military police officers launched the strike
on 19 December to protest poor working conditions and pay. According to
officials, since the strike began, there has been a spike in burglaries and
murders. While officials deployed 3,000 federal troops across the state to
boost security on 29 December, the soldiers have been unable to completely meet
all security demands. The declaration of a “state calamity” -- which will last
for the next 180 days -- allows the state government to pay for emergency
services and sign contracts without a bidding process. (07 Jan 2018)
CHAD
TRANSPORTATION
UNION ISSUES THREE-DAY STRIKE NOTICE
The national union of transport
associations of Chad (SYNAT) issued a three-day strike notice on 8 January 2018
to protest an increase in fuel prices. The union represents various
transportation groups, including taxis. Although the extent to which the strike
will affect transportation is unclear, travelers should prepare for travel
disruptions. (08 Jan 2018)
INDIA
STRIKE
DISRUPTS RAIL TRANSPORTATION IN WEST BENGAL
The Jharkhand Disom Party staged a 12-hour
strike in West Bengal on 9 January 2018 that disrupted rail transportation in
the state. A local media source stated that trains were canceled or experienced
delays lasting for several hours. At various locations party supporters armed
with homemade weapons blocked railway lines; however, there were no reports of
violence. The purpose of the strike was to demand the withdrawal of two pieces
of legislation passed in 2017. The legislation allegedly harms the interests of
tribal peoples, which the Jharkhand Disom Party claims to represent. (09 Jan
2018)
FRANCE
GENERAL
STRIKE EXPECTED IN STRASBOURG ON 14 JANUARY
A general strike is expected to take place
in Strasbourg on 14 January 2018. Three major unions -- CFTC, CGT and FO --
organized the strike as a show of opposition against the opening of businesses
and shops on Sundays. It is unclear how many union members will participate and
how significantly it will affect everyday business in Strasbourg. Additionally,
there is no indication as to whether the unions have also organized protests in
association with the strike, although demonstrations typically do accompany labor
actions. Travelers should avoid any large gatherings in Strasbourg as a
precaution. (11 Jan 2018)
GREECE
STRIKE
IN ATHENS CAUSES SIGNIFICANT TRANSPORTATION DISRUPTIONS
As previously announced, Athens metro
(subway) employees went on a 24-hour strike on 12 January 2018, unions went on
strike in Athens, causing the system to shut down and resulting in significant
transportation disruptions in the city. Hospitals were also operating with
reserve staff, as doctors participated in the strike, and ships have been
unable to sail due to striking shipyard workers. Unions are protesting reforms
under consideration in parliament that would impose restrictions on calling
strikes and would reduce family benefits. Additional labor actions are expected
on 15 January. (12 Jan 2018)
IRAN
Labor
leader freed...
Esmail Abdi, leader of the Iranian teachers
union, has been allowed to leave the notorious Evin Prison.
It is
a temporary reprieve from his six-year sentence. He can be
re-arrested at any moment.
Nevertheless, it is good news. And it shows
the power of campaigning by the international trade union
movement.
LabourStart has run several campaigns going back a number of years
demanding Abdi's freedom.
Read more about what has happened on the website of
the Education International here, and follow labour news from Iran
updated throughout the day on LabourStart.
ITALY
LEBANON
PROTESTERS
BLOCK ROAD IN BEIRUT
On 8 January 2018, several demonstrators
blocked traffic on a major roadway near the Bechara Khoury Highway in downtown
Beirut. The demonstrators were protesting against long power outages in Beirut,
which they attributed to corruption and mismanagement on the part of the power
company. Protesters burned tires and blocked traffic for several hours;
however, there were no reports of violence. (08 Jan 2018)
MALAYSIA
AIRPORT
TAXI DRIVERS LAUNCH STRIKE TO PROTEST UBER AND GRABCAR
On 8 January 2018, taxi drivers operating
at Kuching International Airport (WBGG/KCH) launched a strike in protest of
ride-sharing services Uber and GrabCar. Reports indicate that approximately 200
taxi drivers gathered at the Legislative Assembly compound in Petra Jaya where
they submitted a memorandum appealing for the government to ensure that
drivers’ livelihoods were not affected by the alternative services. As of 9
January the government had not responded to the strikers’ demands, and it
remained unclear when the protest action would end; however, an airport manager
stated that the strike had not affected airport operations. (09 Jan 2018)
NIGERIA Ed. Note: A
different kind of solidarity
ABDUCTED
PHYSICIAN RELEASED IN CROSS RIVER STATE
On 7 January 2018, kidnappers released a
physician who had been abducted in Cross River state on 26 December 2017. The
victim was released unharmed. The physician's release comes after the Nigeria
Medical Association (NMA) threatened on 5 January to suspend all medical
services beginning on 8 January if the victim -- who is a member of the NMA --
was not let go. The NMA also threatened to withdraw clinical services without
notice whenever a physician in the state was targeted by kidnappers. (07
Jan 2018)
PANAMA
ANTI-CORRUPTION
PROTEST PLANNED IN PANAMA CITY ON 23 JANUARY
Various civic groups have called for a
rally in Panama City, the capital, on 23 January 2018, to demand that the
country’s attorney general publicly identify the officials involved in a major
corruption scandal linked to the Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht.
Protesters have announced plans to convene outside the public prosecutor’s
office at approximately 1200 local time (1700 UTC).
A related protest occurred in Panama City
on the morning of 9 January, when thousands of people gathered in the Cinta
Costera park, located in the city center, and marched to the presidential
residence. During the rally, vehicular traffic on the adjacent eastbound
highway was limited to a single lane; however, no other disruptions or violent
incidents occurred. The participants called for an end to corruption and
impunity in the country and demanded severe punishment for public officials who
received bribes from Odebrecht, the largest government contractor in Panama.
(11 Jan 2018)
PUERTO
RICO
POLICE
CHIEF RESIGNS AMID MASS POLICE ABSENCE AND INCREASE IN HOMICIDES
On 8 January 2018, Puerto Rico’s police
chief resigned from her position amid mass police absence and a notable
increase in homicides on the island. As of last report, more than 2,700 police
officers have not been on duty on average every day; normally, there are about
600 daily absences. The mass sickout is due to the outstanding wages to police
officers who worked overtime following the passage of hurricanes Irma and
Maria, which struck the island in September 2017. Meanwhile, officials in the
territory have so far recorded at least 23 murders since the beginning of 2018;
the homicide rate is notably higher when compared to nine murders in the same period
in 2017. (08 Jan 2018)
SERBIA Ed. Note:
Privatization continues
VINCI
AIRPORTS AWARDED 25-YEAR CONCESSION FOR BELGRADE NIKOLA TESLA AIRPORT
On 6 January 2018, the Serbian government
awarded the French firm Vinci Airports a 25-year concession to operate the
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (LYBE/BEG). The concession would cover
operations, financing, maintenance, and the upgrading of airport terminals and
runways. Vinci Airports is expected to take over airport operations by the end
of 2018. (08 Jan 2018)
SAUDI
ARABIA
SOUTH
AFRICA
UNREST
INVOLVING MINIBUS DRIVERS IN RUSTENBURG
Minibus drivers halted services and shut
down roads in Rustenburg on the afternoon of 8 January 2018. The work stoppage
occurred as authorities arrested two drivers for assaulting drug addicts and
gang members who are accused of killing a driver in Boitekong. The unrest also
included the firing of rubber bullets, and shops in the affected area were
forced to shut down. Locations that were without minibus services as the
violence took place included Ramochana, Paardekraal, Sunrise Park, Boitekong
and Meriting. The situation concluded at approximately 1800 local time (1600
UTC). (08 Jan 2018)
SUDAN
PROTESTS
OVER INCREASE IN BREAD PRICES SPREAD
On 7 January 2018, demonstrations to
protest rising bread prices spread to the cities of Nyala, al-Damazin, Geneina
and Khartoum. Police officers fired tear gas to disperse approximately 400
demonstrators in the southern city of al-Damazin, while one demonstrator and
six others were injured during a demonstration in Geneina, located om
southwestern Sudan, near the border with Chad. In an effort to suppress the
growing unrest, opposition leader Omar Al-Dageir was arrested, and authorities
confiscated all copies of six local newspapers that where critical of the
government’s subsidy cut that lead to the increase in bread prices. (07 Jan
2018)
PROTESTERS
CLASH WITH SECURITY FORCES IN SENNAR
On 6 January 2017, approximately 400 protesters
demonstrated in the city of Sennar – located approximately 300 km (185 mi)
south of Khartoum – against the increase in bread prices. Bread prices doubled
in recent days after the Sudanese government ended subsidies in its budget for
2018. Security forces used tear gas to disperse the demonstration. There were
no immediate reports of casualties from the clashes. (06 Jan 2018)
PROTESTS
OVER FOOD PRICE INCREASES OCCUR IN KHARTOUM AND WAD MEDANI
On 5 January 2018, protests broke out in
Khartoum and Wad Medani -- located approximately 200 km (120 mi) south of
Khartoum -- over increases in the price of bread. Demonstrators in Khartoum
reportedly set tires on fire, obstructing streets in al-Sahafa, al-Kalakla,
al-Giraif and Burri neighborhoods. In Wad Medani, police officers clashed with
protesters in al-Mazad, Shendi Foug, al-Hilla al-Jadida and al-Dibaga
neighborhoods, reportedly firing tear gas to disperse demonstrations. Reports
did not indicate if there were any injuries associated with the protests. (05
Jan 2018)
UK
FCO WARNS OF BREAD PRICE PROTESTS
On 9 January 2018, the U.K. Foreign and
Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated its travel advice for Sudan to include the
following:
“Since early January 2018 there have been sporadic
protests against increases in the price of bread in a number of locations
across Sudan, particularly in West Darfur, Wad Madani, the Omdurman and Bahri
areas of Khartoum, and around the University of Khartoum. While these are not
targeting the international community, tear gas and force have been used to
subdue some protests. You should exercise vigilance and avoid large crowds or
demonstrations.” (09 Jan 2018)
TUNISIA
VIOLENT
PROTEST OCCURS IN TEBOURBA
On 8 January 2018, clashes occurred in the
town of Tebourba -- which is located approximately 40 km (25 mi) west of Tunis,
the capital -- between authorities and demonstrators who were protesting
against price and tax increases. State news sources reported that the
demonstration became violent when protestors attempted to enter a government
building with the intent to burn it down. One protester was killed and five
others were injured in the disturbances. (08 Jan 2018)
PROTESTS
CONTINUE IN TUNISIA
On 10 January 2018, protests against the
2018 budget continued throughout Tunisia, including popular tourist towns, such
as Sousse and Hammamet. According to the Interior Ministry, more than 200
people were arrested in clashes with police officers. Additionally,
unidentified assailants threw a Molotov cocktail at a Jewish school on the
island of Djerba on 10 January. No injuries were reported, and the school
sustained minor damage. (10 Jan 2018).
UNITED
STATES
- Deadly world of private
garbage collection...
- American Telephone and
Telegraph gets big breaks, laysoff thousands...
- Labor fights against Trump's
war on immigrants...
- Walmart lays off thousands
after bonus announcement...
- Amazon exploits workers...
and crying at their desks...
- How teachers are treated in Louisiana...
- Facebook allows age
discrimination among advertisers...
- Giving to the rich won't help
workers...
VENEZUELA
FOOD
RIOTS OCCUR IN THE STATE OF MERIDA
On 11 January 2018, food riots broke out
in the western state of Merida. Eyewitnesses reported that approximately 800
people looted a food collection center and that police and national guard forces
failed to control the situation. An opposition lawmaker from Merida reported
that groups of people also looted a truck of corn and a supermarket and that
separately groups of people slaughtered 300 animals. Four people were
reportedly killed and 10 people were injured in the rioting. (11 Jan 2018)
