Solidarity 3/33, 26 June 2003

Iran: back the workers and students

Submitted on 2 July, 2003 - 21:51

Revolt against the Islamic Republic

Every week sees a new strike in Iran. The lives of many workers have been devastated by the neo-liberal policies of the reactionary clerical government. Since 10 June Iranian students have been protesting against religious dictatorship as well as plans to privatise higher education in Iran. They have been attacked by the security services and many have been arrested. Yassamine Mather from Workers' Left Unity Iran analyses the political background.

Italy: 87% majority loses out

Submitted on 2 July, 2003 - 21:50

By Lucy Clement

Italy’s “moderate” trade unions have scuppered an attempt to extend employment rights to workers in small businesses.

A massive campaign by Rifondazione Comunista and the left-wing trade union CGIL succeeded in forcing a referendum on the extension of Article 18 of Italy’s labour law — which protects workers from unfair dismissal.

Save Our Party: Conference for all Labour Party and trade union members

Submitted on 2 July, 2003 - 21:49

Convened by Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs

Saturday 5 July 2003, 9.30am - 4.30pm

TUC Congress House, Great Russell St, London

Reverses for Indonesia's war in Aceh

Submitted on 2 July, 2003 - 21:47

By Harry Glass

The Indonesian military is making heavy work of its assault on Aceh, according to reports in the Australian socialist paper, Green Left Weekly.

After claiming significant progress in its operation to crush the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), the Indonesian military lost seven soldiers in an ambush in northern Aceh. It was the highest number of casualties the military has suffered since martial law was declared on 19 May.

Unionist split threatens the GFA

Submitted on 2 July, 2003 - 21:46

By Jack Cleary

With an imminent split in the David Trimble-led Unionist Party, prospects of an early resurrecting of the suspended Northern Ireland power-sharing Executive faded further this week.

Hain touches a raw nerve

Submitted on 2 July, 2003 - 21:45

By Martin Thomas

Peter Hain touched a nerve. However hard the New Labour government is trying to shake off its "control-freak" image, it could not stop itself shrieking when minister Hain made the mild suggestion that the very best-off might pay 50p income tax on each additional pound stuffed into their bulging wallets, rather than 40p.

George Orwell: The Man Who Told The Left Unpalatable Truths

Submitted on 2 July, 2003 - 21:44

Author:

Sean Matgamna

"Revolutionary ardour in the struggle for socialism is inseparable from intellectual ardour in the struggle for truth".
Leon Trotsky, "Trotskyism and the PSOP"

Workers of the World

Submitted on 2 July, 2003 - 21:42

French strikes over: we'll be back
50th anniversary of East German uprising
Strike wave in South Korea tests the new president
Zimbabwe extends strike bans
Demonstration against Lula's government
Cambodian police kill demonstrators
No jobs for sacked Venezuelan oil workers
Celebrate 100 years of the car industry?
ICFTU figures for deaths of trade unionists

The Writing on the Wall

Submitted on 2 July, 2003 - 21:40

Working in a whorehouse
“Best practice”?
“Sensitive area”
New Labour: widening the poverty gap

Nikesploitation

Submitted on 2 July, 2003 - 21:36

By Mick Duncan

In a recent interview, Nike boss Phil Knight revealed the obscene degree to which this massive company is built around enormous payments for celebrity-sportstar endorsements.