Greater Middle East
Turkey: May Day marchers defy protest ban
Clashes rocked central Istanbul as Turkish protesters attempted to defy a government ban on May Day rallies at the city's iconic Taksim Square.
Tag: labor
South Asia
Mt. Everest disaster and global climate shift
Sherpas who guide tourists up Mount Everest go on strike following the deadly avalanche—as destabilization of the Himalayan glaciers portends more such disasters.
East Asia
Wildcat strikes surge in China —again
Some 10,000 workers at plants that produce sportswear for Nike and Adidas have walked off the job in Dongguan after finding the Taiwanese company was shorting them.
The Andes
Colombia: ‘terrorist’ attack on union headquarters
The offices of the Cali Municipal Workers Synidicate (Sintraemcali), located in the center of the Colombian industrial city, was attacked with hurled incendiary bombs.
The Andes
‘Fascism’ and the Venezuela protests
Are the Venezuelan protesters monolithically "fascists" and "golpistas"? And are left-dissident elements in danger of being exploited in a reactionary putsch?
Southern Cone
Chile: wildcat strike paralyzes ports
A wildcat strike has shut down several Chilean ports for the past three weeks, with the fruit and mineral industries claiming $100 million in losses.
Africa
South Africa: two dead in water riots
Two were killed as South African police fired on protesters at the townships of Mothotlung and Damonsville, where residents are angry at having been without water for a week.
Southeast Asia
Occupy Phnom Penh dispersed
Cambodian military police opened fire on striking garment factory workers, killing four, and then dispersed a protest encampment from a central square in Phnom Penh.
Colombia: intensified violence against labor leaders
The campaign of violence against organized labor in Colombia intensified in 2013, with 26 unionists assassinated—a 15% jump over the figure for 2012.
North Africa
Beyond Benghazi: Libya faces converging crises
The death of a US national in Benghazi thrust Libya briefly into the news—as lawless militias, ethnic conflicts and labor strife daily claim lives across the country.
Mexico
Mexico: protesters pledge to resist energy ‘reform’
In a 40,000-strong Mexico City demonstration, union members and opposition activists pledged civil disobedience to halt President Enrique Peña Nieto’s energy sector reform.
Iraq
Charges dropped against Iraq oil union leader
Following an international campaign, all charges were dropped against Iraq oil union leader Hassan Juma’a Awad in a case related to strikes and worker protests.