Asia Pacific Currents

News and labour updates from the region.Discussion of the issues facing the Kurdish people in the 4 countries in West Asia that they are located in and the upcoming public meeting and online webinar on the campaign to release Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey.Upcoming solidarity meetings on Thailand and Myanmar: International Solidarity with Thailand and Myanmar - International online meeting on April 6 (link is external) Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia

The Israeli election was held last week. The result was another unclear outcome with many parties now trying to form a new government.We discuss the results and their implications for the struggle for Palestinian indipendence.Upcoming solidarity meetings on Thailand and Myanmar: International Solidarity with Thailand and Myanmar - International online meeting on April 6 Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia

Lynas is an Australian mining company that mines rare earths at Mt Weld in Western Australia that ships many of these minerals to a processing plant just outside Kunatan in Malaysia.Since 2011 there has been widespread local opposition to this plant due to the continuing buildup of toxic and radioactive waste at the company's landfill site, next to its processing plant.Lee Tan, from Aid Watch, explains what the current issues are and the next steps for the local movement against this processing plant.Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia

Marchers and actions for International Women's Day were held all around the world last week on March 8. Unfortunately many of these were repressend by government and paramilitary forces.We talk to Rabiyya Mammadora, a feminist and human rights activist who ran as an independent election candidate in the recent municipal elections in Baku, Azerbaijan's largest city, about their attempts to hold a IWD rally.Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia

The government of President Duterte in the Philippines has been one of the most repressive and murderous in that country's history. This has had a devastating effect on working class communities and organisations.We talk to Ness Gavanzo, an activist with the Filipino feminist movement Gabriela, on the situation for women in the Philippines and what is being organised for International Womens Day.Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia

In depth interview with long time Thai activist and organiser Junya Lek Yimprasert about the pro democracy movement in Thailand, its objectives, its tactics and how it is dealing with the ongoing repression from the Thai military.Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia

Indian political life in the last few months has been upended by a massive and prolonged demonstration and blockade by tens of thousands of farmers in India. Their blockade of New Delhi has been an incredible feat of political and infrastructure organisation.We speak to Shivani Kaul, a militant labour activist organising in northern India, to explain the reasons behind these protests and their political significance.Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia

With the recent military coup in Myanmar, there are a lot of similarities of structures and issues between Myanmar and Thailand.We talk to 'Rick', a community activist who lives in Thailand, and has also been involved in the Myanmar solidarity movement to tell us about the history of the pro democracy movements in these two countries, the differences, the similarities and the growing linksAsia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia

January 26 in Australia is a controversial day as it is commemorated as both 'Australia Day' as the founding of the country and as 'Invasion Day' as the commencement of the dispossession and genocide of its Indigenous people.Every year there are major Invasion Day rallies around the country. Listen to Meriki Onus and Crystal McKinnon, from Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, talk about the significance of the day, the protest in Melbourne, and plans for the coming year.Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia

Labour updates from the Asia Pacific Region.Jiselle & Pier wrap up 2020 – it’s our last show for the year!Asia Pacific Currents is a program of Australia Asia Worker Links.