International news briefs
Iranian oil workers' struggle
On January 17, 2000 workers from the maintenance section of the Abadan oil refinery in Iran went on strike to oppose a plan to "restructure" the oil industry which could lead to 40,000 of the 140,000 personnel losing their jobs. Workers also demanded better housing, increased pay and bonuses.
After six days on strike, the workers gave management one month to consider their demands. Meanwhile, oil workers in the city of Ahvaz also protested, forcing Iran's oil minister to visit the workers' assembly there and promise that no oil workers would lose their jobs in the restructuring.
The Worker Communist Party of Iran in Australia is asking supporters of workers' right to fax letters to the Iranian embassy in Canberra to demand that no oil worker be sacked, that the workers' demands for improved pay and conditions be met, and that workers' rights to organise and strike be recognised in Iran. Fax letters to the embassy at (02) 6290 2431 (fax copies to the WCPI at (02) 9630 9345).
Strikes increase in South Africa
In 1999, the second highest annual number of work days lost through strikes occurred in South Africa since the 1994 democratic election. Figures released in early January show that 3.1 million work days were lost, compared to 2.3 million in 1998 and 3.9 million in 1994.
The long-running public service wage dispute accounted for 60.9% of days lost, followed by the transport industry with 13.1% and the communications industry with 9.3%. The mining industry accounted for 7%.
More 97% of lost days, and 80% of all strikes, were in pursuit of higher wages. During 1999, 28% of strikes exceeded 10 days, whereas in 1998 it was more than 42%.