The politics and economics of COVID-19 relief packages
Most governments worldwide have announced relief packages to deal with the economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, though big in numbers, these packages have very little to offer to those most affected by the crisis
Working class demonstrates in Spain for a social emergency plan
The demonstrators demanded the protection of workers’ rights and for an urgent social emergency plan to tackle the COVID-19 crisis
Indian trade unions protest attack on workers’ rights
Ten central trade unions in India issued a nationwide protest call against the changes being made to labour laws.
Migrant workers in Lebanon reach agreement with waste management company
Approximately 400 migrant workers were on strike for weeks after management of the Lebanese waste management company, RAMCO, started cutting their wages and paying them in Lebanese pounds instead of the contractually obligated US dollar
IndustriALL questions violations of worker rights by Shell in Nigeria
82% of oil giant Shell’s workforce in Nigeria is sourced through labor contractors. As per IndustriALL, the workers “live in poverty with no job security, poor healthcare and little regard for health and safety.”
Sanitation workers in New Orleans on strike to demand better conditions and pay
Sanitation workers, who are hired by the city through a subcontractor, have condemned the lack of safety measures and support from city officials despite being considered essential workers
UK transport union demands justice for London metro sanitation staff
The transport workers’ union RMT has called on the city government to guarantee dignified rights and conditions of sanitation staff of the public transportation system
In Kuwait, protesting Egyptian workers demanding repatriation face police action
Workers have been stranded in shelters meant for those violating Kuwaiti residency laws after being left jobless due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Kuwait has recorded over 5,000 confirmed cases and 40 deaths due to COVID-19
On May Day, the working class in Europe resolved to defeat both COVID-19 and capitalism
Major trade unions and workers’ parties across Europe organized May Day events in public and online platforms adhering to safety protocols due to lockdown.
Greek workers protest government’s anti-labor policies on pretext of fighting COVID-19
Workers under the leadership of the All Workers Militant Front (PAME) in Greece observed the National Day of Action on April 28. PAME has demanded the abolition of the anti-worker measures introduced through bills citing the COVID-19 crisis
ILO: Nearly half of all world’s workers may lose their jobs due to COVID-19 pandemic
In the absence of strong support measures by governments across the world, the estimated loss of mostly informal jobs would result in rising poverty, starvation and inequality, an ILO report says
It’s going to be Amazon vs the People: Chris Smalls
Chris Smalls was fired from his job at Amazon’s Staten Island facility in the US shortly after he raised issues regarding the lack of safety measures for workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Scottish govt. issues pandemic hygiene guidelines following tenants’ union intervention
- Palestinian man with special needs shot dead by Israeli police
- Kuwait Airways to lay off 1,500 of its foreign employees
- Progressives in Germany denounce racist ‘hygiene demos’ and anti-lockdown protests
- 30 migrants in Libya killed after death of human trafficker
