Dear Comrades:
<br>
<br>Happy New Year!
<br>
<br>Maybe it is late from the western tradition but too early from the oriental tradition.
<br>As we face the difficult year of the economic meltdown, I would like to propose to all the early General Assembly of the APWSL.
<br>
<br>We need to sit, talk, assess, and to make a plan in order to organize and unite our ranks against the incoming diluvia in our midst.
<br>
<br>The Financial crisis has been with us for so long in many forms and actions. The passing of the irregular law in Korea, the ongoing labor oppression in Australia, the continuous political killing in the Philippines, the chaos in Thailand, and the aggression of Israel in Palestine are just but a few examples that we are on big crisis.
<br>
<br>The year 2008 was supposed to be the General Assembly of APWSL. That is if we follow the three years period, which was decided in Kuala Lumpur.
<br>
<br>Since we don’t have enough funds it was also decided that wetake advantage to any international struggle so that we can get at least our airfare allowance.
<br>
<br>Doing so, we can meet, consult and plan the APWSL General Assembly. For some of us we tried to make the good choice through some discussions and many exchanges of letter regarding the General Assembly but we failed to get the single opinion and decision regarding the General Assembly.
<br>
<br>There was a choice in Thailand but we have to consult the other countries but no one gave the good opinion because of the political problem in Thailand. Maybe our comrades in Thailand were busy because of the situation. Moreover, it was being discussed in Australia when I joined the International forum last Oct 2007. But our comrade in Japan suggests moving slowly and needing more discussion so that we can grasp the whole situation.
<br>
<br>At the International Assembly for Migrants and Refugee (IAMR) in the Philippines last November 2008 came the suggestion of holding it in the Philippines along side with the International Solidarity Alliance, on May 2009. Regarding this suggestion, we have to consult more other members.
<br>
<br>Rey Burnet from APWSL Korea (laborasia.net) suggested also that the IAMR be held in Korea by making webmaster education and then each country could send representative and after the webmaster education, the APWSL General Assembly.
<br>I know the situation is very hard and difficult to all of us because of the lack of funding but let us not rely more on funding. I think with or without this, our struggle should go on by trusting more ourselves. The neo-liberal system and its supporters put us on this situation so that we cannot struggle against them.
<br>
<br>They paralyzed us so that they can do what they want, but let us stand up and unite together; let us free ourselves to this cage of oppression by taking an active struggle against the Neo-liberal globalization. In my opinion, let us do it in the Philippines or in Korea? In the Philippines, every year there is the International Solidarity Alliance and it is held during May Day.
<br>
<br>I think the housing and food expenses are cheaper in the Philippines and all members of the APWSL will not need a visa to go there and the airplane ticket is relatively cheaper. In Korea, although they need the visa, the ticket is cheaper and there are places that we can use freely with proper arrangement beforehand.
<br>
<br>I hope you are in good health amidst the economic and political problems that we are facing. I hope you can share your country and the regional situation so that we can comprehend each situation. As one of your conveners my deep apology for not holding the APWSL General Assembly last year.
<br>I hope we can make up this year.
<br>
<br>Onward to the APWSL struggle!
<br>
<br>Long Live International Solidarity
<br>
<br>Rev. Jang Chang Weon
<br>APWSL Convener
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<br>Reconciliation 竊? Unification Mission Center
<br>Osan Laborer`s & Migrant`s Shelter
<br>Rev. Jang, Chang Weon(凉득?????)
<br>APWSL Convenor(http://laborasia.net/)
<br>Korean Progressive Labor Network Center(http://nodong.net/)
<br>Representation
<br>ONE Korea
<br>Tel/ (82)-31-372-9301
<br>Fax: (82)-31-372-9391
<br>H.P.: (82)-10-2263-7972
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