[APWSLMembers 106] FW: KMU pickets Australian Embassy, calls Howard a "labor terrorist"

[parat Nanakhorn]

>From: Kilusang Mayo Uno <kmuid at tri-isys.com>
>To: Kilusang Mayo Uno <kmuid at tri-isys.com>
>Subject: KMU pickets Australian Embassy, calls Howard a "labor  terrorist"
>Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 17:04:25 +0800
>
>PRESS RELEASE
>15 November 2005
>
>
>Filipino workers take the fight of Australian workers
>KMU pickets Australian Embassy, calls Howard a "labor terrorist"
>
>
>"The Arroyo and Howard governments share many things in common.  For one, 
>both are anti-worker. Like Pres. Arroyo, Australian Prime Minister Howard 
>unleashes its destructive pangs on the workers thru his proposed "Work 
>Choices" bill.  Both are also lapdogs of the imperialist US.  They are 
>strong partners of US Pres. George Bush in the "anti-terrorism" campaign 
>that is being waged in Asia and around the world.  This campaign not only 
>terrorizes but also aims to destroy the very organization of the workers 
>which is in conflict with the interests of capital and the government.   
>Aptly, these three stooges should be called 'labor terrorists'."
>
>Thus said the militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), in a picket 
>protest in front of the Australian Embassy in Makati today to show support 
>to their Australian counterparts who are holding a National Day of Protest 
>all over Australia.
>
>The Howard Government forced the "Work Choices" bill through the House of 
>Representatives on November 10, and has allowed only six days for it to be 
>debated in the Senate. The Australian Council of Trade Union (ACTU) called 
>for a national day of protest against the controversial bill today.  
>Meetings will be held at over 300 sites across the country, all connected 
>by video link. More than 300,000 workers are expected to participate, 
>surpassing the nationwide mobilization last June 30-July 1.
>
>KMU said Howard's "Work Choices" bill aims to destroy the hard-fought gains 
>of the workers, such as the right to fair wage, employment and job 
>security.  Among the salient points in the proposed bill are the setting of 
>minimum wage thru the new Fair Pay Commission, the intensification of 
>individual contracts, abolition of unfair dismissal protection in factories 
>with 100 or less workers and extension of the probation period for new 
>employees from 3 months to 6 months.
>
>"Being a signatory to the International Labor Organization (ILO), it's a 
>shame for Howard to push for this bill.  It is a direct violation of ILO 
>Conventions 87 and 98 which are meant to uphold the right to organize and 
>to collectively bargain," said Norma Binas, KMU Vice Chairperson for 
>International Affairs.
>
>KMU urged the Australian unions to relentlessly fight the anti-worker and 
>anti-people policies of the Howard government.  "In connivance with 
>multinational corporations, the Howard government may have the power, might 
>and resources to use against the unions.  But there is one thing that they 
>refuse to realize and that we, as workers, know fully well - that there is 
>no stronger force than collective strength of the workers.  Supported by 
>the mass organizations of the people, our collective actions will defeat 
>the combined attacks of corporations and governments," ends Binas. ###
>
>

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