Solidarity 069, 17 March 2005

Commission for Africa: More neo-liberal capitalism

By Paul Hampton The demand to “make poverty history” is winning wide resonance this year and nowhere is it more relevant than in Africa, where the majority of people subsist on $1 a day. But the Commission for Africa report published last week shows how little the ruling class are prepared to do to help the majority of Africans. The Commission for Africa was appointed last year by Tony Blair. When the G8 meets at Gleneagles in Scotland in July, Blair says he wants Africa on the agenda, with the report centre-stage. The Commission’s 460-page report published on 11 March is full of catchy sound...

Wellington union rep sacked

The Service and Food Workers’ Union (SFWU) in New Zealand is calling on national and international union networks to publicise the sacking of one of its union reps at Wellington Airport. SFWU argues that the rep was dismissed unjustifiably and targeted because of his union activities at LSG Skychefs. The rep already had an outstanding personal grievance against the company from disciplinary action taken against him last year. The union believes this dismissal is part of an ongoing attempt by the company to terminate his employment because of his union involvement. More information: Labourstart...

No Sweat Dates

Eyewitness from Nicaragua Brighton No Sweat meeting, Thursday 24 March 6.30-8 pm, Cowley Club, 12 London Road, Brighton Find out how corporations are making a killing. Almost 100 per cent of clothing made in Nicaragua ends up in US shops. Can the G8 Make Poverty History? London No Sweat Open Forum meeting, Monday 4 April 7.30pm, Old Crown, 33 New Oxford St. London. Speakers: Tim Jones of the World Development Movement; Sabrina and Dean from the Wombles; Mark Osborn from No Sweat; plus Oxfam invited. Night of Action for Trade Justice Starts 10pm, Friday 15 April and ends 8am on Saturday...

Writing on the wall

Ken does it again This paper has reported before on Ken Livingstone’s strange admiration for the fundamentalist Kuwaiti/Muslim Brotherhood cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi. Now he has thanked an organisation set up to campaign against gay Muslims for supporting his pro-Qaradawi stance. “Your support is very much appreciated”, Ken wrote to the “Straight Way Foundation”, an allegedly Muslim organisation with links to the Christian fundamentalist “National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality”. Both organisations seek to “convert” gay people to heterosexuality by dubious “therapy” which...

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