Asia Pacific Currents

The recent tensions and threats of war between the USA and Iran have roots to the origins of the Islamic Republic following the 1979 Revolution that overthrew the despotic dictatorship of the Shah.Since then, Iran has continued to remain a regional power, especially after surviving the 10 year long war with Iraq. The current tensions are different front the past in that they come after years of popular uprisings in the region and have seen new players emerge, with alliances becoming much more fluid.APC interviewed Joseph Daher, an academic and socialist activist. He is also the author of the recent book 'Syria after the Uprisings , the political economy of state resilience'.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

India is the world's biggest democracies and its elections campaings are huge undertakings. This year's election saw the chrismatic leader, Narendra Modhi, of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claim a landslide victory. This victory cements the Hindu nationalist leader as the country’s most formidable politician in decades.Modhi's first tenure as Prime Minister has seen a wave of intolerance and violence unleashed against religious and caste minorities with his supporters advocating the creation of a greater Hindustan nation, for Hindus by Hindus.APC interviewed Abhinav Sinha, a long time labour activist and now National Spokesperson and Member, National Convening Body, Revolutionary Workers Party of India (RWPI), in the reasons why the BJP won and what this will mean for Indian workersAsia 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

Hong Kong is a special administrative of China with its own set of laws and regulations separate from most of mainland China. Hong Kong is in a transition period following the withdrawal of the UK as its colonial power in 1997.Since then, the city state has seen spikes in political activities and protests when major changes to its laws have been proposed. In the last few months, the Hong Kong government, headed by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, proposed to introduce a new law that would allow people to be extradited to mainland China.APC talked to Carol Ng, the Womwn's Officer of the Confederation of Hong Kong Trade Unions, earlier in the week as to the reasons why this proposed laws saw demonstrations of up to two millions people flood the streets of Hong Kong.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

3CR Radio was started in 1976 by working class communities to provide an avenue for workers, their families and their communities to tell their stories and struggles in their own voices.The radio is run by the broadcasters, members and listerners. 3CR Radio self funds and relies on its listerners to fund the station.Today is Radiothon time for 2019, so donate to keep us on the air. You can donate in person, over the phone, via post or online.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

As Indonesia is the largest country in South East Asia and the most populous Islamic country in the world, elections are closely followed.The recent elections saw the incumbent Jokowi defeat the ex General Prabowo. Economic and social issues where the main issues of this election. Given the widespread poverty in Indonesia, there are a lot of expectations for what President Jokowi can deliver to workers in his second term as President.APC talked to Yasinta Sonia, the Deputy Director of Programs for the Trade Union Rights Centre (TURC) - a labour NGO based in Jakarta, about the elections and their ramifications.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 mid term elections in mid May were seen by everyone as a test for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his authoritarian rule and policies. Human rights and labour activists were hoping that by exposing Pres. Duterte's corruption, lies and murderous campaings in the War on Drugs and martial law in Mindanao, it would weaken his allies and elect senators, governors and mayors that would become his opponents. Unfortunately Duterte's allies used the media and state bureaucracy to their advantage to mount an election campaign focused on safety, security and nationalism. APC talked to Manuel Del Rosario, Secretary General - Migrante Australia, about the election outcome and where to for the left in the Philippines.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 APC team apologises for the recent 6 weeks interruption of APC podcasts This was due to issues beyond our control.We are now back :-) It has been 71 years since the founding of the state of Israel in West Asia and the problems arising from the dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian from their lands have not been resolved. The struggle by the Palestinian for their land, their rights and the right to return has taken many forms over this time. Every year on May 15, Palestinians mark Nakba Day (Day of the Catastrophe), the commemoration of the displacement that preceded and followed the proclamation of Israeli Independence.APC talked to Hilmi Dabbagh from the Australian Chapter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Campaign about the situation for Palestinians in Israel, the Occupied Territories, and the current campaigns for the right of Palestinians. 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 massive Tianjiayi Chemical factory explosion in eastern Jiangsu province in late March, where at least 78 workers were killed, and many hundreds injured, is another tragic example of the weak Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws in China.One of the main problems in achieving safer workplaces is the weal bargaining power of the great majority of Chinese workers.APC was able to interview Geoffrey Crothall, the Communications Director of China Labour Bulletin, on the background to this disaster, the dynamics of OHS enforcement in China and the possible ways forward for increasing the strenght and effectiveness of workers organising, both at the local level and nationwide. 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

Hutchinson is a Hong Kong based global stevedoring giant with a network of port operations that comprise 319 berths in 52 ports, spanning 26 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia.Hutchinson is also renowned as a union busting company. Whether in Australia, INdonesia, Malaysia or Pakistan, it directly works to target, victimise and isolate labour activists. Currently two Pakistani dock workers, Marvia Islam (Union President) and Moeed Murad, have been in jail since mid March due to their union activities.Apc spoke with Surya, the Deputy President of SP JICT trade union, in Jakarta, Indonesia about their continuing fight for the right to organise and for a safe workplace. Between 2016 and 2018, five workers have been killed at this port, while through 2018, there have been more than 10 incidents per month.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 BJP government of India, headed by President Modi is the most right wing Indian government since Independence. It has quite clear fascist expressions and has unleashed an unrelenting attack on workers wages and conditions under the guise of making 'India great'There are constant actions and strikes by workers against these attacks. On the 3rd of March there was a big rally in the capital New Delhi for the right to work.APC interviewed Shivani from Bigul Mazdoor Dasta and the Campaign for Bhagat Singh National Employment Guarantee Act, and Abhinav, Editor of Workers Political Monthly, 'Mazdoor Bigul', to talk about this rally, ongoing organising efforts in India and the upcoming national electionsAsia 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