Asia Pacific Currents

The modern history of Thailand has seen a constant struggle by civil forces of society to try and break the power and wealth of the established ruling elites and the Monarchy.This struggle has seen the military carry out a number of military coups in an effort to repress and destroy these anti autocratic movements. Its now 5 years since the last coup and the military is allowing a national vote to take place while under military dictatorship.APC spoke earlier in the week with Wan, a Thai social activist in exile based in a neighbouring country, about the elections, what they might mean and how free and fair they really are.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 origins of International Women's Day (IWD) go back to 1909 when tens of thousands of women garment workers, the majority of whom were migrants, went out on strike in New York, USA demanding equal pay.The fight for justice and equality is still being fought all around the world with working class women at the forefront of the battle against exploitation, inequality and repression.APC was at the IWD march in Melbourne, Australia and brings you some speeches from Aboriginal women and the issues that they are facing.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 fast becoming a global industrial power as it intergrates further into the global economy. Attracted by a low wage, educated workforce and lax environmental regulations companies are keen to invest in India.In the Tamil Nadu town of Tuticorin a copper smelter owned by Sterlite, a subsidiary of the giant Vedana Group, has generated massive opposition among the population due to the pollution it has been creating. Repression by police and army has killed many protestors.APC spoke to Lavanya Thavaraja, a labour activist, about this movement and the recent disappearance of Mugilan, a noted social and environmental activist who had been at the forefront of the campaing against the 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

The last two and a half year of the Presidency of Rodrigo Duterte has seen massive violations of human rights in the Philippines.While the most publicised issue has been his murderous War on Drugs, many other sectors and organisations have felt under pressure from his administration. The Philippines is now regarded as one of the most dangerous places for journalists.APC interviewed Maria Ressa, the CEO of Rappler - an internet based multi media organisation, about her recent arrest and the pressures that journalists and others are under 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

Due to a last minute technical problem, we are replaying an interview from last year about OHS in South Korea.Labour updates from the region are current news.(Supporters for the Health And Rights of People in the Semiconductor) SHARPS has recently forced Samsung Electronics to commit to pay compensation to its workers as well as a commitment to improve its workplaces. APC interviewed Jeong-ok Kong from SHARPS and she details the results of their campaign.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

Due to a last minute technical problem, we are replaying an interview from last year about OHS in South Korea.Labour updates from the region are current news.(Supporters for the Health And Rights of People in the Semiconductor) SHARPS has recently forced Samsung Electronics to commit to pay compensation to its workers as well as a commitment to improve its workplaces. APC interviewed Jeong-ok Kong from SHARPS and she details the results of their campaign.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

Outsourcing and sub contracting is a scourge for workers all around the world with companies using these methods to increase profits and cutting costs by shifting responsibity and dangers to workers.In mid December 2018, a young worker in South Korea, Kim Yong-gyun, was killed by a conveyor belt at the thermal power plant where he had been recently employed at. Yong-gyun was employed on an insecure contract. His death was the result of inadequate training, supervision and occupational health and safety conditions.The Korean labour movement initiated a large protest movement as a result. APC interviewed Wolsan Liem, Director of International and Korean Peninsula Affairs of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU), about this movement, its aims and the results so far.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

Welcome to all APC listerners to the first program of 2019.The 26th of January in Australia is a public holiday marking Australia Day. It celebrates the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, and the raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillip.To the Indigenous people of Australia this day marks the start of colonialism, dispossession, exploitation and genocide. The first organised protests against this Day were held in 1938. The movement to abolish Australia Day has gathered momentum over the last few years. On Saturday January 26, protest rallies were held in all major cities around Australia attracting tens of thousands of Aboriginals and their supporters.Meriki Onus is a leading member of the Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR), the group who organised the protest rally in Melbourne. The interview looks at the issues that confront Indigenous people in Australia to this day and the significance of the Invasion Day marches.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

Samsung Corporation is one of the biggest companies in South Korea. It has a vicious anti union stance and of repressing any independent worker activity at its factoriesFor over ten years, OHS activists grouped around the organisation SHARPS (Supporters for the Health And Rights of People in the Semiconductor) have conducted a campaign against Samsung Electronics about its unsafe workplaces that have led to hundreds of workers falling ill or dying due to the toxic chemicals they are exposed to.SHARPS has recently forced Samsung Electronics to commit to pay compensation to its workers as well as a commitment to improve its workplaces. APC interviewed Jeong-ok Kong from SHARPS and she details the results of their campaign.This is the last program for 2018. The APC team will have a summer break. The first program of 2019 will be Saturday February 2.The APC team would like to thank all our listerners who have supported us this year and would like to wish everyone a safe and happy end of 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

While China is still the world's factory, it is also increasing its labour force in areas of health, education and welfare.Since the Tiananmen protest of 1989, workers have been tightly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party of (CCP). While over the last decade, there has been upsurges in workers action, the last couple of years has seen the CCP tighten its control of workers and repress any attempt for independent organising.This month, Sheung So from the Labour Education and Service Network, a Hong Kong based NGO, was in Melbourne. APC was able to interview her for an update on the situation for workers in China.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