Security forces in northwest China (Gansu province) used tear gas to quell two days of violent protests by thousands of people who used axes, chains and iron bars to attack police. At least 60 people, including police and officials, were injured during the riots. The protest was triggered by about 30 people whose houses had been demolished to make way for a new government building, in an apparent typical “land grab” case that often leads to protests in China. As the global economic slowdown hits China and thousands of workers are laid off, the Communist Party is becoming increasingly concerned that any protest might escalate into broader unrest and form a challenge to its rule.

Source: Yahoo News

Source: fxstreet.com

Dhaka, 13 Aug — Over 5,000 workers at Reedisha Knitex factory staged a demonstration inside during their lunch break to demand a pay rise. Their demands being ignored by management, they set about ransacking the factory. This sparked a clash with factory officials, 15 of whom were injured. The workers then blocked the main Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway for three hours. 300 Rapid Action Batallion (RAB) and police personnel arrived and fired gunshots and teargas into the crowd and baton charged, injuring 50.

Source: libcom.org

In the Dhaka area, thousands of garment workers came out on strike over the weekend (9-10^th Aug) in a new outbreak of unrest.

Two workers were assaulted overnight by security forces, after 400 mainly women workers had recently been sacked, with no warning and without receiving wages owed. Workers then attacked the security forces camp with sticks, stones and bricks. The response was rifle fire into the crowd. Workers spent the next four hours vandalisng the factory until a huge contingent of police and soldiers arrived.

On Sunday morning, 300 workers of Polonia Garments Ltd gathered in expectation of payment of owed wages. Finding the factory gates locked, thousands of furious workers from neighbouring factories began ransacking that factory and others on the Dhaka-Tangail highway. Highway traffic was blocked. 15 RMG factories and four shopping centres were also attacked as rioting continued through the day. Strikes occurred in at least three other factories. 60 factories were closed in response to the violence. Later, roving workers set fire to an RMG factory in Gazipur.

Source: libcom.org

Dockworkers clashed with riot police outside the Merchant Marine Ministry in Athens July 25, as they protested the deaths of eight people killed by a gas explosion. The riot police attempted to disperse the dockworkers by firing tear gas at them. The dockworkers have also called a three-day strike.

Source: wsws.org

On July 21, some 5,000 Bangladeshi workers began indefinite industrial action in Kuwait to protest underpayment, irregular wages and a lack of access to promised facilities.

Source: wsws.org

An estimated 12,000 people will lose their jobs. After the 50 stores announced late last week, to be closed by the end of July, now the company is detailing all stores slated for closure.

Source: huffingtonpost.com

Chinese rescue workers are struggling to reach 30 miners, a day after they were trapped underground when the mine they were in was flooded. Six have been confirmed dead. There has been no word from the others.

Source: BBC News

Striking workers at Brazil’s state-controlled Petroleo Brasileiro SA may initiate a nationwide strike starting Aug. 5 after rejecting a company offer. According to a worker, “all the tendencies are that there will be a strike stronger than the last one, with wider control of production”.

Source: canada.com

Over 200 workers were arrested in Peru on July 9 as a result of a national strike to protest the high cost of living and against government repression.

Source: wsws.org

Over 154 people were arrested in Chile last Wednesday. Public school teachers and students in Santiago, Calama, Valparaiso and Coquimbo are on strike over a new education law.

Source: wsws.org

See also: Battaglia Comunista 7