WORKERS OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!
No 1454 Week commencing 21 September 2007 Weekly paper of the New Communist Party of Britain 50p DONT LET BROWN GET AWAY WITH IT by Daphne Liddle Bob Wareing criticised the “New Labour Mafia” PRIME MINISTER Gordon Brown last week and blamed a concerted succeeded in sweet-talking union leaders into campaign to get rid of him. agreeing to surrender the influence of their mem- He said he would now end bers at Labour Party conference in exchange for his 60-year membership of a promise to review the new arrangements in two the party and consider standing as an independent. years – presumably after a general election. Alex McFadden, presi- The Parliamentary without any in depth public dent of Merseyside TUC, Labour Party has never discussion. said that Bob Wareing had felt itself bound by policy Labour’s National Ex- been a stalwart of the trade decisions made at the ecutive Committee agreed union movement and “ev- party’s annual conference, these rule changes by 26 erything that was progres- even though the MPs de- votes to four last Tuesday sive”. pend on the grass-roots and they will be applied at Local Liberal Demo- foot soldiers to get them next week’s Labour Party crat council leader Warren elected. conference in Bradley said that Wareing But conference deci- Bournemouth. had been treated “deplor- sions against war and Brown is looking to win • Trade unionists demanding no privatisation – these are people Brown should hear. ably” by Labour. against privatisation have a general election in the not ahead anyway and per- union conferences.And surrendered that power on This is part of a long succeeded in embarrassing too distant future – he is suaded union leaders to they are the people wo suf- the strength of the word of process of the Labour the party leaders in the riding high in the polls now accept the changes on a fer when their jobs are cut a politician – at a time leadership consolidating mass media. And the party in spite of the banking and promise that the new rules or privatised and when when banks are crashing more and more control over conference has always had credit turmoil, more be- will be reviewed in two their hospitals suffer cash and stock markets the party that has been go- the final say on Labour cause of division and dis- years. crises. They are the work- juddering because savers ing once since the 1980s. election manifestos. array among his Tory and Sickeningly, the union ers who create the wealth and investors now refuse to Gordon Brown is more Under the new system Liberal Democrat rivals leaders have accepted this. of this country and they are believe politicians when subtle that Tony Blair but put forward by Brown the than popular confidence in There have been the the people whose small they say “don’t panic”. he is still the servant of the conference will not vote on Labour. usual press attacks on the contributions mount up and The Brown regime is ruling classes. But the “contemporary” motions principle of the union bloc fund the Labour Party. now starting to show its working class is still the any more. These motions union’s money votes, claiming that “one- hand with further attacks majority and it is the class will be referred to the member-one-vote is more opportunity on the left of the Labour that does the work that cre- party’s national policy fo- Brown will need the democratic. It is anything Party. Left-wing Liverpool ates wealth and power. rum where they will be dis- union’s money to run but. Those union bloc votes The union bloc votes are MP Bob Wareing has been The working class has cussed in private. Labour’s election cam- represent thousands of af- perhaps the only opportu- de-selected after 24 years the potential to take back The manifesto will also paign – so you would think filiate members who pay nity for ordinary workers to representing Liverpool control of the party it cre- be drawn up in private and this would not be the time their dues through their have any impact at all on West Derby and is to be re- ated – it is just a matter of then the party membership to attack union power and union membership, who the policies of our bour- placed by former Blairite education, agitation, of around 200,000 will influence within the confer- discuss the issues at length geois capitalist govern- Labour MP and ex-educa- organisation and confi- have a chance to vote on ence. and hammer out policy in ment. tion minister Stephen dence. the whole thing, yes or no, But Brown has gone their branches and at their Now their leaders have Twigg. The ruling class is fac- ing enormous turbulence as capitalism is tearing itself apart globally. Things could change very quickly, in- Ramadan offensive begins in Iraq cluding the balance of power within the Labour by our Arab Affairs ration with the US army of cal water stations have been nals [US ambassador Iraqis every day flee to Party. The Left must re- correspondent occupation in 2006. When shut down affecting the sup- Crocker and General neighbouring Syria to escape member the advice of George Bush stopped-over in ply up to 40 km south of the Petraeus] ranted on in their the hell of the occupation, so Robespierre: “Audacity, IRAQI PARTISANS launched Al Anbar for a one-day con- explosion. That same morn- report about what they called that now the over four million Audacity, Audacity”. their Ramadan offensive ference on 3rd September, he ing guerrillas ambushed a ‘security and political are displaced inside Iraq and last week in a wave of at- met the Iraqi traitor who had convoy of oil lorries en route progress’, in order to raise two million have fled tacks on American troops been recently elevated as the from Fallujah to Samara. the hopes of the foolish abroad? Where is this and their local lackeys. The “saviour” of the province in Twenty lorries were set about impossible hopes of progress when public ser- FUND biggest collaborator in Al the imperialist media. He ablaze and a number of driv- progress and victory. Where vices have deteriorated and Anbar province was killed was killed along with two of ers taken prisoner. is this progress, when every the most important of there – Our fund this week and oil pipelines and instal- his bodyguards when his The underground Arab day American soldiers die at electricity and water – have came to £514.35, making lations sabotaged. And all armoured car was hit by a Socialist Renaissance Party the hands of the brave Iraqi disappeared, and the occu- our September total American diplomats and road-side bomb near his (Baath) has dismissed the national resistance? pation has returned Iraq to the £1,610.35 and leaving other civilians have been farm outside the city of testimony of General David “Where is the progress pre-state era of 6,000 years £1,389.65 to raise to meet grounded following the sus- Ramadi last week. Petraeus at the US Congress when every day the blood of ago? our monthly £3,000 tar- pension of a mercenary se- Meanwhile fire-fighters last week as a “cover up” of Iraqis is being shed on the “Where is this progress get. curity company by the pup- are battling to control the “the rapid collapse of streets of Iraq, when every when American occupation We thank a York- pet regime after its men re- blaze of burning oil that has America’s colonial occupa- day thousands of Iraqis are forces use their land, air and shire comrade for £5, a sponded to a sniper attack spilt into the river Tigris after tion of Iraq”. thrown into the prisons of the rocket forces to wage daily Woking comrade for an- with indiscriminate fire that two major oil pipelines were occupation, the militias and brutal attacks on Iraqi homes, other £5, a south London killed 11 civilians in Baghdad blown up before dawn Tues- the truth is known the government? Where is workplaces and gatherings? pensioner for £17.40, our on Sunday. day morning. The pipeline, this progress when an Iraqi “Where is this progress London Scot for £10 and a A state of emergency has linking the northern Kirkuk oil Baath Party representa- can no longer protect his when sectarian parties and Manchester supporter for been declared in Al Anbar fields with the large Beiji re- tive Dr Abu Muhammad said: family, his home or his prop- militias loyal to Iran, as well £40. We also thank a province following the assas- finery some 200 km north of “The truth is known to anyone erty, and Baghdad’s as the death squads con- Carlisle reader for £3, a sination of Sheikh Sattar abu Baghdad, was cut by the who observes American poli- neighbourhoods are sepa- nected to the American, Brit- Redbridge friend for Rishah, a prominent col- blast along with another par- tics: the evil war maniac Bush rated by high walls and ish, Israeli and Iranian intel- £7.50 and a south London laborator who headed the allel pipeline than runs to doesn’t want to admit the fail- fences that isolate people ligence agencies, continue comrade for £300. US-sponsored “Al Anbar Sal- Turkey. Black fog enveloped ure of his illegitimate into a huge number of – all their killing, displacement, Please continue to vation Council” and claimed the area and large quantities colonialist project, which thanks to sectarian and eth- banishment and kidnapping send whatever you can to to represent most of the tribes of oil poured into the river and would lead to the collapse if nic cleansing supervised by against Iraqis who oppose the New Worker Fund or in the province. ignited. The oil slick has his presidency and the end American occupation forces, the occupation; and those the Special 30th Anniver- Abu Rishah, who made reached Tikrit, some 100 km of his fascist and criminal government security forces not affiliated with occupation sary Appeal, both at PO millions of dollars from so- south and emergency work- war”. and their militia proxies? parties, regardless of their Box 73, London SW11 called “reconstruction con- ers are struggling to stop the He added: “As expected, “Where is this progress religious, racial and tribal af- 2PQ. tracts”, began open collabo- spill reaching Baghdad. Lo- the two American war crimi- when tens of thousands of filiations?” Page 2 THE NEW WORKER 21 September 2007 email: [email protected] News Desk 020 7223 4052
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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 Stating the obvious 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123Say no more The League of Friends Alan Greenspan, the at the small community head of the US central bank, who is blind – and of course the pasta strike was to forgo hospital described the de- has admitted that the 2003 they were black. pasta for one day, in order to cision as “pointless” and Weekly paper of the New Communist Party US invasion of Iraq was The orchestra was return- have more of it in the days to “soul-destroying” for the motivated by oil – confirm- ing from a performance at a come. patients. ing the assertion by anti- world music festival in Italy Pasta is a national dish in war campaigners. where they had won critical Italy, with each Italian eating Nurse, I need a Wii Northern Rock The admission comes acclaim as musicians. on average 28 kg (62 lb) of in a new auto-biography, Now they are suing pasta every year. Global warm- The Sunrise home for IT’S NOT OFTEN that we communists get to The Age of Turbulence, in Ryanair for compensation af- ing and the growing use of pensioners in Birmingham, feel like Old Testament prophets but last week’s which he criticises Bush’s ter flight crew members re- durum wheat as a bio-fuel are with residents up to the age scenes of long, long queues outside high street “grave mistakes” in eco- fused to let them back on the blamed for the steep rise in of 103, has installed the lat- branches of Northern Rock did provoke feel- nomic policy. plane after they had proved prices. est in electronic games to ings of “we told you so”. Greenspan said the in- their innocence, forcing them amuse the residents, in- vasion was aimed at pro- to miss New Year celebrations Hospital hazard cluding a Nintendo Wii This was the first run on a bank in Britain for with their families. around a century and the City pundits thought it could tecting Middle East oil re- games console. serves. “I thought the issue The Congleton War Me- never happen here; they thought they had the capi- of weapons of mass de- Pasta strike morial Hospital in Cheshire Residents have be- talist system all sorted out and running smoothly on struction as the excuse was has removed a “knitting box” come avid video game fans never-ending consumer debt. They thought they could utterly beside the point.” Consumer pressure from its main waiting area, since a chef brought in the buy and sell virtual commodities, hedge funds, futures groups in Italy are calling on claiming it is a safety hazard. console. The games in- and all the other ephemera that creative enterprise Suspicious scores the people to stage a one day The box was provided, volve physical activity and imaginations could dream up. pasta strike in protest at ris- equipped with knitting provide exercise and fun They forgot that all their wealth is made by other Five members of the ing prices and to refrain from needles and wool with an in- for the pensioners. people’s work and that there are real limits to it. Caribbean Steel Interna- buying or eating pasta for one vitation to patients and visi- Barrie Edgar, 88, said: They thought they could go on paying themselves tional Orchestra were taken day. tors to knit a square while they “It’s a very pleasant dis- millions and billions in bonuses and profits while the off a Ryanair flight home to They want the govern- waited; the squares would traction and it’s great fun London from Sardinia last ment to intervene after the eventually go towards a blan- to have electronic gadgets workers of the world endured longer and longer hours New Year’s Eve, escorted price for durum flour, the main ket to be donated to charity. in the home. for lower and lower return in real terms. They thought by armed police, under sus- ingredient, rose from 18 pence No one has even been “I didn’t know how my communism was gone with the Soviet Union and the picion of being terrorists. per kg to 45 pence per kg in hurt by any of the contents daughter’s Nintendo teachings of Marx could be laid to rest under a moun- They were accused of two months. but health and safety staff games worked before, but tain of misrepresentation and confusion. acting suspiciously for the The leader of one con- decided the box had to go in we’ve all really enjoyed Then the reality of their own system came and crime of reading out foot- sumer association, Elio case someone hurt them- playing it and the games are bit them on the bottom. The capitalist system is in- ball scores to a colleague Lannutti, said the objective of selves. good for you as well.” herently unstable and goes through inevitable cycles of boom and bust and there is nothing the City pun- dits can do to change this. Marx’s analysis of capital- ism is as true today as it was when he wrote it. Capi- Campaign for victimised talists cannot escape crisis, no matter how they shuffle lending rates, dabble with deficit spending or unleash Unison protest leader the full impact of market forces. Having said that, the failure of one bank is not by Mervyn Drage On Sunday 9th September the end of capitalism – yet – but it is a symptom of around 700 people marched deep, deep trouble within the whole global capitalist AROUND 300 members of through the streets of system. As Marx pointed out, capitalism is impelled the public sector union Uni- Manchester to attend a rally to seek ever greater and greater profits. Eventually it son employed by the in Peace gardens, near the Manchester Mental Health Town Hall. The rally was must run out of planet to plunder; then it must try to and Social Care Trust walked chaired by Rena Woods from conjure something out of nothing by trading in futures out for a three-day strike be- North-West Region Unison. and suchlike. Then it tries to sustain itself on personal tween Monday 10th and Banners and placards debt – workers spending their future earnings and Wednesday 12th September in were brought by Manchester becoming debt slaves. But there is always a limit. support of the union branch pensioners, the local Fire Bri- Ultimately it is all a gamble – when the crisis chair Karen Reissmann, who gades Union, PCS civil ser- comes, and it must come, which companies will sur- was suspended on 15th June. vice union, the National Union vive and which will go to the wall? This was the second of Teachers and Unison The trigger for the recent turmoil in the world’s three-day strike – the first ran branches from Glasgow, from 29th to 31st August – after Sheffield, Doncaster and Lon- banks is the sub-prime lending crash in the United union members gave a re- don. States. Finance companies saw rich profits in grant- sounding vote of support to After the last strike by the ing mortgages for low quality housing to people on Karen Reissmann. mental health workers, Karen low incomes. She had been suspended Reissmann said: “the strikes But they were too greedy, they overdid it. Too after leading industrial action would stop if they reinstated many borrowers defaulted; too many repossessed in protest at changes to the me and dropped the charges. homes were put on the market and the price of the trust. She was suspended on But we would still have to properties crashed. All the banks and financiers who • A “One” train at Cambridge. the same day she was told work with them on a lot of is- had been tempted to this honey-pot found themselves she had won a promotion and sues. losing their money. So they clammed up and stopped told she faced charges of se- “I think it is awful that we riously affecting the reputa- have to strike and we feel that lending to each other. Partial success tion of the care trust; we have no choice. It was this measure that destabilised smaller banks behaviour undermining their “I do think they deliber- like Northern Rock, the Alliance & Leicester and in rail dispute confidence in her as an em- ately chose not to negotiate Bradford & Bingley. They need access to short-term ployee; and that she was sus- emergency cover with us so loans from other banks and when this dried up North- by Caroline Colebrook revenue protection inspectors pected of misusing her time they could move patients to ern Rock asked the Bank of England to stand by to (ticket inspectors) and retail as a community psychiatric Darlington to make us look bail it out. Just asking started the panic withdrawals staff in north Essex had al- nurse. bad. and queues of terrified savers in the high streets. RAIL WORKERS employed ready taken two days of ac- If Karen Reissmann is “There are prospects of And the crisis was made worse because the sav- by “One” railway last Satur- tion in defence of Paul found guilty of these gross further strikes; I think it is very ers simply did not believe the reassurances they were day called off two one-day Yarwood. misconduct charges she likely. But if at any point they planned strikes in support of And their colleagues in all could face the sack after 25 lifted the suspension the given by either the bank or the Government. The sys- a victimised guard after man- grades across the company years as a community psychi- strikes would be called off. tem is losing not just credit but credibility – and that agement offered him compen- last month voted by more than atric nurse. We are not unreasonable.” presages more crises to come. sation. five to one to join the dispute. Eventually the Government had to step in and The guard, who had been RMT general secretary Chancellor Alistair Darling promised the Government sacked after an incident with Bob Crow said: “Our members would underwrite the savings of all Northern Rock a violent and abusive fare across ‘One’ have shown Safety protest on the Tube customers – to the tune of £28 billion. A guarantee of evader, was not offered rein- their solidarity with Paul and this size would have saved hundreds of Britain’s NHS statement and the RMT rail their disgust at the TUBE DRIVERS last week ners are being cut. Union hospitals from the financial crisis that hit them last union described the outcome company’s attitude to its own refused to operate trains on spokesperson Derek Kotz year and resulted in thousands of jobs cuts among as “a partial success”. staff’s safety. the Central Line after brake said: “We believe the public Paul Yarwood was a guard It is astonishing that the parts fell off a train on to private partnership has un- nurses and other health workers. But under capital- with an exemplary record but company still seems to have tracks. dermined safety. ism the health of banks is more important than the was dismissed over an inci- its head buried in the sand, “There are serious fault health of people. dent at Colchester North on not least because of the huge The incident led to a lines and our members are al- This gives a lie to those who claim the free mar- 7th June involving an abusive public support that Paul has safety check on the line with ways vigilant. We have to ask ket is king – if it were, the banks would be left to fare evader who refused to had from members of the pub- 85 trains being inspected and ourselves how something fell crash as they leave hospitals to crash, with no Gov- stop smoking, assaulted a lic.” maintenance staff working off a train – there are sup- ernment intervention. platform supervisor and He continued: “The size through the night. posed to be protocols. Either way, the workers pay – losing savings, jobs threatened a passenger and of the strike vote should have The check revealed a “We will not compromise or both. Marx was also right that when capitalism other staff. told ‘One’ everything they separate fault on another train on safety. This could have does collapse humanity will have only two options – The planned strikes by need to know about the effect and an investigation has been caused a derailment. If any of 800 RMT members were also their failure to support is hav- launched. our members were disciplined socialism leading to peace and prosperity or barbar- a protest at the company’s ing on the people who have The RMT transport union for refusing to drive their ism. neglect of staff safety. to face the daily danger of says that passengers are be- trains we would ballot for a More than 100 guards, threats, abuse and assaults.” ing put at risk because cor- strike.” 21 September 2007 THE NEW WORKER Page 3 Home News Newsdesk 020 7223 4052
Bosses Universities grudge Britain cheating time for ‘biased workers to cluster bomb ban against poor see GPs THE PRESSURE group flicts, setting off the explo- in that it can be targeted ac- that is very damaging. It has students’ Landmine Action has accused sion. curately, and secondly that it all the characteristics of a THE CONFEDERATION of the Government of trying to A ban is being considered has too few sub-munitions, or cluster munition. GOVERNMENT Minister British Industry last week circumvent a global ban on through the CCW (conven- “bomblets”, to use a less tech- “It’s delivered by rocket John Denham last week ac- called for “outdated” general cluster bombs by trying to tional weapons) negotiations nical word. as many are. The rocket cused leading universities of practitioner services to be reclassify two types. at the United Nations, as well Simon Conway, director of breaks open in the air, and being biased towards middle- overhauled. The CBI says Landmine Action said the as the separate Oslo process. Landmine Action, says if this large numbers of these small class students, resulting in a businesses lose 38 million Government wanted to make As the serious negotia- was a cluster bomb last No- sub-munitions fall down out “huge waste” of talents and working hours and £1 billion use of its current stocks of the tions begin this winter, vember, then it still is. of the air and saturate an area potential of children from a year because employees controversial bombs which Landmine Action questions Neither of the that might cover several foot- poor backgrounds. have to visit their GP during open up to scatter smaller why Britain is trying to hold Government’s points are in- ball fields.” This follows the publica- working hours. bombs. on to two kinds of munitions. ternationally accepted defini- The other cluster bomb tion of figures showing that The call coincided with The Government claims As recently as last No- tions that would exclude this that Britain wants to keep in students from higher-income the Government meeting lead- its position was backed by vember, an air-launched rocket from a ban. its arsenal is the M85. The families have increased their ing high street companies to the International Committee of rocket, the CR7/M261, was With 19 rockets carried in Government argues this is a hold on places at 10 of discuss increasing access to the Red Cross (ICRC). But the included in a list of cluster each pod, and two pods to a “smart” cluster bomb, be- Britain’s top universities GP care. ICRC says this has never been bombs issued by the Minis- helicopter, one strike could cause it has a self-destruct He called on the univer- But doctors suggested discussed with them by Brit- try of Defence. deliver more than 340 mechanism if the initial trig- sities to do more to “identify the CBI hoped to benefit from ain. But in a parliamentary bomblets. ger fails to work. and nurture the young stu- any privatisation of the health Three churches in Britain answer in July, Defence Min- “It’s a con,” said Conway. But Landmine Action dents of the future”. service – a charge it denies. have called for a complete ban ister Bob Ainsworth said this “I think it’s an attempt to try says the self-destruct mecha- He said: “Improving par- Access to GP care will be on the use of “indiscriminate” “does not fall within the UK’s to secure a short-term advan- nism too often fails. The ticipation is not about politi- one of the central themes of and “terrible” cluster bombs understanding of a cluster tage. ground of southern Lebanon cal dogma or hitting statisti- the NHS review being carried by British forces. munition”. “Because we have got is littered with unexploded cally satisfying targets. It is out by Health Minister Sir Ara In a joint statement, the The reasons given were these things on the shelf we M85 bomblets, dropped by about ending a huge waste of Darzi, who is to conduct a Baptist Union of Great Britain, firstly that it is “directly” fired, want to hold onto them, and Israel last year. talent.” “public consultation” involv- the Methodist Church and the Meanwhile British univer- ing nine “citizen juries” that United Reform Church also sities are attracting fewer stu- are to meet for the first time. pressed Foreign Secretary dents from overseas as their He will also be hosting a David Miliband to actively academic reputation declines conference in the next few support an international treaty compared to rival in the United weeks that will look at improv- to ban such weapons. States, Australia and Europe ing patient access, such as Landmine Action says – and costs rise. locating GPs in gyms and su- the government’s position A study by the Higher permarkets, with companies calls into question Britain’s Education Policy Institute including Virgin, Boots, Bupa desire to hold the moral high published last week on stu- and Lloyds Pharmacy due to ground on this issue, claimed dent experience showed that attend. in March when it announced “when it comes to value for As usual the Government it was the first major power to money, the level of dissatis- is on the side of big business. scrap cluster bombs voluntar- faction among international Health Secretary Alan ily. students runs at worryingly Johnson acknowledged the There is an international high levels.” CBI had a point. consensus growing around Bahram Bekhradnia, the “The days of nine to five the idea of banning cluster director of the institute, said and closed at weekends and bombs. that foreign students bring sometimes closed during the These have been particu- benefits to this country be- week... has to change. We larly harmful to children in the yond their fees, such as the need a health service for the Balkans as well as Afghani- living expenses they paid and 21st century.” stan and Iraq, because they the fact that many stay here The CBI report said much tend to pick them up after con- to work. of the lost time could be • A bomblet from an M85 left by Israeli troops in Lebanon. “I think we are in danger avoided if the GP system was of killing that golden goose,” more flexible, although it ad- he said. “The UK is very ex- mitted some of this also in- pensive. The fee paid on av- cluded GP visits when people Unite calls off strike at erage in America is lower be- were sick and therefore were Racial divide widening cause there are so many not a matter of access. scholarships, and many more In particular, the CBI THE COMMISSION for Ra- including the Olympic De- Westland in Yeovil can work afterwards. Here the called for longer opening cial Equality last week is- livery Authority – were fail- number of scholarships is sued a report claiming that ing. MEMBERS of the giant Unite ited in Yeovil over the revised relatively small.” hours in areas where there offer and an overwhelming 84 was demand. the racial divisions be- The CRE has the union employed at Westland tween different communi- power to take legal action have called off their planned per cent voted to accept the Even though a recent industrial action following the new offer. Government survey of more ties in Britain are becom- against racially discrimina- ing deeper than ever and tory organisations under the acceptance of an improved Unite regional officer, than two million patients Colin Rose, said: “We’re found more than 80 per cent are fuelling religious and Race Relations Act 1976 pensions offer by the com- political extremism. and it can oblige pany. pleased with this outcome. were satisfied with access, the organisations to change However we are disappointed Tower CBI said there would still be the way they operate. Unite the union balloted that it took industrial action areas where evening and The CRE also accused 15 Government depart- CRE director Nick its members working at to get management to revisit Hamlets weekend opening was Johnson, the report’s au- the pension proposals put wanted. ments of failing to meet Westland Helicopters and their own obligations on thor, described the report Westland Transmissions Lim- forward in January.” The group also said pa- tackling discrimination. findings as “very troubling”. gardeners tients should be able to regis- It has called for action “While some public ter with more than one GP against the departments, bodies such as the crimi- to strike? practice and said pharmacists including education, nal justice agencies have should be more involved in health, the Home and For- made huge strides in the Final push for providing healthy living ad- area of race relations, oth- MEMBERS of the GMB gen- eign offices. eral union employed as gar- vice and treating minor ail- The Government prom- ers have fallen down,” he pensions protection ments such as coughs and ised “positive and robust said. deners by the London Bor- colds. action” to address the con- “It is shocking that ough of Tower Hamlets are And it added the primary cerns. Whitehall departments and THE PUBLIC sector union a further four years, so it will considering strike action fol- care sector should be opened In a final assessment those leading our Olympic Unison is urging its mem- cover all members of the local lowing a pay dispute with a up more to private providers, delivery, rather than leading bers to stand up and be government pension scheme private contractor. of race relations in Britain st pointing out much of the before it becomes part of by example are in fact fail- counted as the battle to who are 60 by 31 March 2020. Fifty gardeners are being Government’s NHS reforms the new Commission for ing us time and time improve a vital retirement Now there are just two balloted by the GMB in the have concentrated on hospi- Equality and Human Rights again.” protection draws to a close. more weeks left to argue the row with grounds mainte- tal care. (CEHR) next month, the And he warned: “Ex- case, and bring LGPS mem- nance firm Fountains and the The British Medical As- CRE warned that Britain tremism, both political and The union won a major bers in England and Wales ballot results are expected sociation had a different view. remains a place of “in- religious, is on the rise as breakthrough in June when into line with their colleagues later this month. BMA chair Dr Laurence equality, exclusion and iso- people become disillu- the Government promised to in Scotland. Union officials accused Buckman said: “If CBI mem- lation”. sioned and disconnected consult on extending full pro- Consultation closes on 1st the contractor of using tax- bers think their staff are seek- While some public from each other. tection for the “rule of 85” October, and Unison has payers’ money in other parts ing medical appointments bodies such as the crimi- “The simple fact is de- when the new local govern- launched a final push to rally of their business instead of without any real cause, nal justice agencies have spite the progress that has ment pension scheme is rolled support. meeting their members’ de- that seems to point to the need made huge strides in the been made, if you are an out next year. “Over this next two mands. for a better occupational area of race relations, oth- ethnic minority Briton, you The current scheme rules weeks we have to mobilise as GMB official Bert health service ers have fallen down. are still more likely to be in England and Wales limit full many supportive responses Schouwenburg said: “Tower “Is it possible that the Its three-year assess- stopped by the police, be protection to those workers to the consultation as pos- Hamlets Council is sitting on CBI is hoping that its mem- ment of standards in excluded from school, suf- who will reach their 60th birth- sible. Let’s be clear we will its hands and watching Foun- bers will be able to take part Whitehall concluded many fer poorer health treatment day by early 2016. only get 2020 if we can dem- tains divert the borough’s tax- in future privatisation of the Government departments – and live in poor housing.” Unison is calling for full onstrate clear support for im- payers’ money to prop up health service?” protection to be extended for proved protection.” their business elsewhere.” Page 4 THE NEW WORKER 21 September 2007 Features
by Lan Xinzhen Chinese population is less than 16 years old. Currently, Chinese families spend 30 per cent of their ON 11TH AUGUST, a Hong total expenditures on children, and Kong toy maker committed monthly spending related to chil- suicide days after his long- Turmoil dren aged from one to 12 nation- time US customer Mattel In- wide has reached an aggregate corporated recalled 967,000 of 3.5 billion yuan. However, av- toys made with paint found to erage annual spending on toys per include an excessive amount child (less than 14 years old) in of lead. China is 20-30 yuan, or $2.6 to Cheung Shu-hung, who co- $4, much less than the average owned Lee Der Industrial Co in Toyland of $13 in Asia and the world av- Ltd., hanged himself at his erage of $34. If Chinese parents factory’s warehouse in southern spend the Asian average of $13 China’s Guangdong province, af- every year on toys for children, ter the Chinese Government an- the market potential will exceed nounced that his company was 30 billion yuan, or $3.95 billion. prohibited from exporting prod- According to the association, ucts and was under investigation. the domestic toy market is ex- Cheung’s death is seen as a pected to increase 40 per cent tragic symbol of the mounting annually, with total sales surpass- pressure Chinese manufacturers ing 100 billion yuan by 2010. face to improve their operations Yet, without products de- as Chinese products come under signed and produced by them- increasing pressure because of selves, Chinese toy makers have safety and quality issues. The loss to pay huge patent fees when his company suffered from the selling OEM toy products in the recall is estimated to exceed $30 domestic market. Toy companies million (£15 million). abroad also have an eye on the An unprecedented challenge Chinese market. lies ahead for China’s toy manu- The association’s secretary facturers. Many of them are run- general, Liang Mei, said that toy ning at a loss due to the higher brands from Japan, the United quality standards put forward by States and the EU have got a the international community. Hav- foothold in the Chinese market by ing no other alternative, some quit either establishing representative while others shift their business offices or branches or picking models. their dealers in China. Following the enactment of Overseas brands now hold the new European Union and United majority of the market share. States standards on the quality Cartoon characters with foreign and safety of toys, the Chinese origins, such as Mickey Mouse, Government has also imposed Donald Duck, Transformers and the China Compulsory Certifica- Ultraman, have dominated tion (CCC) scheme for six cat- China’s toy market for decades. egories of toys on toy makers. Starting from 1st June 2007, only Safety blame game those toys that meet CCC stan- the company’s profit margin is fessional, quality toy developers. have been dismissed by toy deal- dards will be allowed for sale at about two percent. As a result, no company has the ers overseas. Toy recalls are the last thing home and for export to overseas Like the Daily-Play, 70 per- sufficient capital and technology Quite a number of toy mak- China’s toy makers want to see. markets. cent of toy makers in China are to establish its own brand. ers with low or even no gross In the past half-year, many toys A direct result of the new OEM toy manufacturers, either China’s toy manufacturing indus- profit have had to close their fac- exported overseas have been re- standards is an eight per cent in- processing with supplied materi- try is located at the downstream tories, quit the business, or shift called because their quality failed crease in the production costs of als or with foreign designs. This of the industry value chain, en- to other industries. They either go to meet new standards. Chinese toy makers as 80 per means that the toy dealers over- joying low added value. into the foreign trade business, “The quality problem of toys cent of their products are ex- seas are the big bosses instead become suppliers of toy materi- made in China is not merely a ported overseas, mainly to the US of locals. High hurdles als, or are forced to close. fault of Chinese companies,” said and the EU. These toy makers, As such a labour-intensive Zhan said that Daily-Play Toy Zhan. usually reaping a two - three per industry, China’s toy manufactur- While new EU and US toy is now shifting its focus to bed- Zhan stated that processing cent profit margin, are confronted ing sector suffers from a lack of safety standards brought an 8- clothes, though still retaining the either with supplied materials or with the possibility of making little innovation and technological up- percent increase in production toy manufacturing business. foreign designs, China Original or no profits due to the increase grades. Without advantages in costs, raw materials and labour- Realising that there is no Equipment Manufacturers have in production costs. Besides this, design and research and devel- related costs also increased at the money to make exporting toys, been working in line with the re- a large number of exported toys opment, few toy makers export same time the Chinese currency those beyond average size have quirements of overseas toy deal- that failed to meet the new stan- products under their own brands. rose over seven per cent. While an eye on the domestic toy mar- ers. Usually the dealers require dards have been recalled, and Shi Xiaoguang, Chair of the operation costs soar, there is lim- ket. A report from the China Toy production to meet the standards companies involved are running China Toy Association, said that ited room for price rises. As a Association shows that Chinese and regulations of importers, and at a loss, leaving workers soon even though China is known as a result, profit margins are shrink- urban and rural residents are for those without specific require- to face unemployment. major toy manufacturer, it lacks ing fast. Zhan said that sugges- spending more on toys. Around ments, Chinese toy makers will major toy making brands and pro- tions to increase the prices of toys 20 per cent, or 360 million, of the follow domestic standards. In The plight of Santa’s elves general, when the convention is strictly observed, there won’t be Goods “made in China” can any quality problems or product be found in every corner of the recalls, said Zhan, citing that prod- globe, especially toy products. ucts of Daily-Play Toy sold to China is the world’s largest toy Britain have never been returned maker and exporter, and about since they have strictly observed three-quarters of toys produced British standards. in the world carry the “made-in- “In many cases, the dealer is China” label. to blame for the recall,” said Despite that, toy manufactur- Zhan. According to him, the qual- ing in China yields toy makers a ity and safety problems of ex- marginal profit. ported toys are usually the result “Toy dealers overseas make of two factors: the dealer is not the lion’s share [of the profits],” clear about the standards and re- said Zhan Wanlin, Deputy Man- quirements of importers or the ager of Anhui Daily-Play Toys dealer wants to save money and (Group) Company. doesn’t test the sample before Anhui Daily-Play Toys handing it over to Chinese toy started business two decades ago makers. With a disqualified by making plush toys and dolls sample, it’s impossible to produce that are sold abroad under a for- qualified products. eign company’s label, or as origi- Shi said that a majority of nal equipment manufacturers materials for toys from China are (OEMs). Franchisers overseas imported and meet high environ- offer the design, materials and mental standards. It seldom hap- pricing, while Daily-Play Toy is pened in the past that toys were responsible for production and recalled because their quality processing. According to Zhan, failed to meet environmental stan- 21 September 2007 THE NEW WORKER Page 5 Features 020 7223 4052
dards. As developed countries umnist Alan Ramsey gave the enact higher environmental stan- Howard Government a radio- dards for toys, trade disputes may by Rob Gowland active serve in August. Ramsey frequently occur before Chinese quoted an exchange of corre- Tall blokes spondence between Roger companies adjust themselves to I SEE THAT an international the new standards. research team of scientists Dunlop, a former doctor now in In the case of Cheung Shu- has identified the first gene his 80s, and a public servant hung, executives at Lee Der told that affects a person’s writing on behalf of the Prime the Southern Metropolis Daily height. According to the re- and a can Minister. that Cheung may have been searchers, hundreds of The correspondence was cheated by his best friend, the genes are believed to be begun by Dunlop in June 2006. paint supplier who sold Lee Der involved in determining Its subject was the careless way fake paint, containing lead, that whether a person will be the Australian Army stationed of worms troops in Hiroshima from Feb- was later used in the toys. tall or short, and they now Chinese companies often confidently expect a “flood” ruary 1946 for 18 months. have long supply chains, making of discoveries relating to “There was no protective it difficult to trace the exact ori- the rest. clothing, no routine orders as gin of components, chemicals or An article on the discovery, to the dangers of radioactivity, additives. in the Sydney Morning Herald, and no attempt to minimise ex- Shi reminds domestic toy mak- identified only two members of posure.” ers that they need to strengthen the international team, Tim Dunlop’s letter to Howard their product safety control sys- Frayling of the Peninsula Medi- asked him to “consider an in- tem, adopt new environmentally cal School in Exeter and Joel vestigation into DNA examina- friendly materials, and make the Hirschhorn of Harvard Medical tion of the children and grand- production process conform to School in the United States. children” of Australian veterans the rules and regulations of im- The researchers found that of the British Commonwealth porters as well as to China’s na- the gene in question certainly Occupation Forces (BCOF) in affects people’s stature — but Japan. tional safety code. At the same Dunlop was moved to make time, they should learn more it hardly makes giants: people who inherit one copy of the his request when he learned of about the US and EU standards “tall” genetic variant are about “the high death rate of my fel- on toy safety. half a centimetre taller than low veterans” and the fact that The United States is one step those without. People who in- “80 per cent had died of can- ahead of the EU in solving the herit two copies are roughly a cer or had contracted it”. toy safety disputes caused by the whole centimetre taller than In the circumstances one new standards. The China-US people without the gene. would think his a pretty reason- Toy and Factory Safety Seminar The research team’s dis- able request and one which was held in the southern city of th coveries confirm that, all other could be investigated by com- Guangzhou on 17 July, in hopes factors being equal, the normal petent medical and scientific of better communications regard- variation in height between authorities with a minimum of ing the US new standards. Gov- people is determined by genes. fuss and bother. ernment officials, industry asso- However, it has been known Howard’s office (but not ciations and company managers for a good number of years Howard himself) answered, but from the two nations agreed to that, to at least some extent, only to tell Dunlop that they work together to communicate the sub-standard physique of had passed his letter on to the about technology updates and the poor and the deprived was Minister for Veterans’ Affairs safe production. They have also (and still is) a function of their “for attention”. Passing the decided to beef up communica- environment: inadequate diet, buck is, of course, a time tion on related industry rules and lack of sunshine and the honoured tradition among regulations, so that trade barriers breathing of polluted air in the bourgeois politicians, espe- will not trap either side. slums of industrial or mining cially when dealing with some- towns. thing that might just become Independent innovation Ruling class conservatives contentious. stressed will doubtless try to use the ge- After all, what happens if netic research team’s highly they set up a genuine enquiry Liang believes the best way qualified conclusions to push and it concludes that BCOF out of the toy troubles would be the bourgeoisie’s position that personnel were wantonly ex- for Chinese toy makers to de- the physiological effects of pov- posed to atomic radiation, and velop products with their own la- erty are simply genetic and that their descendants’ health bels and update the technologi- nothing to do with them. has been adversely affected? cal level of their products. I have mentioned before in • Even ‘tall blokes’, above, could not stand against the deadly radiation The government would have to Liang said that though tradi- these columns the curious phe- left in the ruins of Hiroshima, below. accept some hefty compensa- tional toy products have taken a nomenon that was noted in the tion claims. But that would be substantial share of overseas First World War: that when the just the tip of the iceberg. markets, the design of many toys young “bush men” from Austra- What about the Australian today is intelligently oriented to lia met their English counter- military and scientific person- cater to customers at varied ages. parts in the trenches of the nel who “observed” or helped Made-in-China toys are mainly Western Front or in the dust carry out the British nuclear plush, plastic, stuffed or electronic of Palestine, the Tommies had tests in Australia? What about toys with low added value, while to literally look up to the taller all the Australians who helped many toy-importing countries Aussies (as they did to their to disseminate Agent Orange have increased their demand for officers) and consequently and other toxic defoliants in high-tech toys including elec- tended to also call the Aussie Vietnam? tronic games and educational Diggers “Sir”. And what about exposure to toys. However most Chinese toy The parents or grandpar- depleted uranium in Iraq, or to makers have failed to catch up ents of those Diggers had the other toxic chemicals and with this trend. Among the toys come from the same grim cit- untested drugs used routinely China exported to the EU last ies and slums in Britain as the during service in Iraq? Tommies, but a generation or Because of the looming year, more than 80 percent were election, a hard-pressed traditional toys, and hi-tech toys more of clean air and good food had done its work. In the Howard finally promised just the accounted for less than five per- other week to set up a study cent. absence of the environmental th factors that stunted the growth into the long-term effects of On 9 June, China’s first of the unfortunate Tommies, Agent Orange on the health of early childhood music education the Diggers had been able to veterans’ children. But don’t doll “Weiwei” was unveiled in reach something closer to their expect him to actually do it, Shenzhen. With its music doll, genetic potential. even if he somehow won the Shenzhen Sinovoice Digital Tech- However, the ruling class election! nology Company Limited. is had as little interest then as it His friends in the White transforming from an electronic has now in helping the masses House would not be happy if product producer to a toy devel- to reach their genetic potential. he held an inquiry and proved oper with an independent brand. It was sufficient that their work- what they have been stead- The Qizhi Digital Technology, ers were healthy enough physi- fastly denying for so long: that a company based in Shunde, cally to do the jobs the ruling Agent Orange causes cancer Guangdong province, with an class wanted doing. and horrific birth deformities. R&D team of 20 engineers, has Turning the “lower orders” No, Dr Dunlop presented established cooperation mecha- into the kind of tall, handsome, Howard with a can of worms nisms with institutions and col- well-muscled, clean-cut work- which Howard has no intention leges and recently introduced a ers that featured on Soviet of opening. series of cartoon characters. posters was never a ruling class aim! Guardian, Australian Beijing Review Sydney Morning Herald col- communist weekly Page 6 THE NEW WORKER 21 September 2007 Home News
1234567890123456789012345678 LETTERS 1234567890123456789012345678 1234567890123456789012345678 underground at this location had attracted a 1234567890123456789012345678 I learnt what solidarity 1234567890123456789012345678 Dear Comrades and comradeship meant. I Llanbradach. The best genocidal attack on the local 1234567890123456789012345678 123456789012345678901234567Diary 8 learnt my socialism from discipline for me was full, population before, around 1234567890123456789012345678 David Cameron’s latest brilliant communist teachers. meaningful employment. 2,000 years ago when the wheeze smells like National When I was 18 I was place was known to the SUNDAY 23 September Public meeting: Building a Service. invalided out of Llanbradach Yours sincerely, Roman Empire as its Non-violent civil disobedience Revolutionary Party – the A month before my 14th Colliery. The call came for Ray Davies, neighbour, Dacia. for peace at Bournemouth. Korean experience. Andy birthday, I started work National Service, and I was Caerphilly. In the centre of Rome Majority for Peace. 0845 458 Brooks,GS NCP; Jong In underground at Llanbradach declared A1+ fit despite Trajan’s column tells the Song, Councellor, Embassy Colliery. Two miles under- graphic story of the war of 9571. having broken almost every of the DPRKorea. Solidarity ground, I and my collier had bone in my body under- Dear Comrades extermination carried out by TUESDAY 25 September to rip out five tonnes of coal ground. the Romans against the Comedy, music, socialism. messages, discussion, film. per shift to earn our corn. I joined thousands of How shocking to read in people of Dacia simply 7pm, Marsham Court Hotel, 2pm, Marchmont Centre, 62 Out of my meagre pay, £1.50 others at Parkhall Camp, last week’s New Worker because they were living East Cliff, Bournemouth. LRC. Marchmont St, London WC1 (£1.10 shillings) per week, Oswestry, where they (issue 1453) that a Canadian literally on a hill of gold and TUESDAY 25 September (Russell Sq tube). Friends of 2.5 pence (6d) went to pay pushed their so called mining company is planning the Emperor Trajan had a Palestine Solidarity Campaign Korea, 07764 288678. balance of payments for the services that built discipline down my throat. to destroy a Romanian fringe meeting at Labour THURSDAY 11 October Caerphilly Miners’ Hospital, problem and needed some Bullying and abuse was a village, Rosia Montana (pink Conference. Palestine: the way New Worker public meeting. Llanbradach Workmen’s Hall daily occurrence. Standing mountain?) in order to cash quickly. and Institute, a local library, on the barracks square, the exploit the gold deposits But even the Romans forward. 12.30pm-2pm, Should working people vote and a local cinema. Sergeant used to scream: underneath it – and then to did not contaminate the area Marsham Court Hotel, 3 Labour? Chair: Mike Fletcher, Even though death and “Am I hurting you Davies?” use cyanide to extract the with cyanide in order to Russell-Cotes Road, East Cliff, NCP Industrial Org. Speak- the threat of death were “No Sergeant”, gold, contaminating the extract the gold. Bournemouth BH1 3AB. ers from: striking electri- never far away, either “I should be; I am whole area and wiping out Yours, TUESDAY 25 September cians, Manchester Royal underground or from the standing on your hair, get it wildlife. H E Cartey, PSC showing of Shots that Infirmary; Amicus, Manches- London. many working class dis- cut”. I could not help ter University Branch; eases like tuberculosis, bind, and discussion. Oxford “Have you shaved this remembering that the gold in Striking Mental Health diphtheria, and rickets, I morning Davies?” Town Hall, St Aldates. learnt a wonderful discipline. “Yes”, WEDNESDAY 26 September workers. 7pm, Friends “Then stand closer to PSC showing of Shots that Meeting House, Mount St, the razor next time you bind, and discussion. 7pm, Manchester. horrible little creature”. Halifax Central Library. FRIDAY 12 October They gave me a tin hat Classes too big WEDNESDAY 3 October Concert for Peace. The and gun and sent me to the Free Vanunu. 5.30pm, Boyd Orr MANA chamber Orchestra. border between Yugoslavia AN INTERNATIONAL study stitute of Education, Univer- lecture theatre A, Glasgow Rossini, Mozart, Bartok, and Italy, to control the two revealed last week that pri- sity of London and Professor warring factions which were University. Haydn. 7.30pm, St James’s mary school class sizes in Anne West, Professor of Edu- Church, 197 Piccadilly, both claiming Trieste at their Britain are still among the cation Policy and the London THURSDAY 4 October own. highest in the developed School of Economics, studied Racism, apartheid & Palestine London W1. £10/£8. I compare the “disci- world. the intake of faith schools now. 7.30pm, Transport House, SATURDAY 13 October & pline” of National Service The report from the across London using a data- 128 Theobolds Rd, London Sunday 14. with my five years working Organisation for Economic base compiled by the Depart- WC1X. CND annual conference. City Cooperation and Develop- ment for Children, Schools SUNDAY 7 October Hall, London. 020 7700 2393. ment said that the British av- and families. erage primary school class They admitted there were size of 25.8 ranks at 23rd among exceptions but found that in FROM THE NEW COMMUNIST PARTY 30 countries. general religious secondary New technology and the need for socialism The only countries with schools in London educate a larger class sizes are south- smaller proportion of pupils £2 plus 50p P&P. ern Korea, Chile, Japan, Tur- eligible for free meals than On the Web... The case for communism £2 plus 50p P&P. key, Israel, Brazil and Ireland. non-religious schools and New Worker National – www.newworker.org All in the family by Daphne Liddle, The smallest average that their intakes are “signifi- class sizes were in Russia, cantly more affluent” than the NCP Central – £1 plus 50p P&P (New Worker reprint). with 15.6 pupils per class. neighbourhoods in which www.geocities.com/ncpcentral Arab nationalism and the communist movement Those with significantly they are located. London District NCP– by Andy Brooks, £1 plus 50p P&P (New Worker reprint). smaller class sizes hat Britain The figures show that 17 http://londoncommunists.blogspot.com/ Brighton NCP – NCP Lit. PO Box 73, London SW11 2PQ. included Slovenia, Portugal, per cent of pupils at faith Greece, Slovakia, Mexico and schools are eligible for free http://brightoncommunists.blogspot.com/ (cheques to New Worker) Hungary. school meals compared with NCP-PCS – The report also shows 25 per cent at non-religious www.geocities.ncppcs/pcs1.html that the gap between class schools. sizes in state schools and in Faith schools teach just New Worker private schools is highest in under 20 per cent of lowest Britain, with only 10.7 pupils ability pupils compared with Supporters’ Groups… per class in independent pri- 31 per cent in non-religious mary schools. schools. They also educate a A separate report pub- larger proportion of pupils New Worker supporters groups exist to support the lished earlier in the week re- who score highest before ar- weekly newspaper of the New Communist Party. vealed that faith schools are riving in secondary educa- Individual membership is £5.00 ( 8 Euros or $10) for all selecting too many children tion. or part of the calendar year and every member will re- from affluent families and are Professor West said: ceive a New Worker Supporters Group (NWSG) card contributing to racial and reli- “This research poses impor- gious segregation. tant questions for policy-mak- and a copies of the Internal Bulletin for the year. The report, conducted by ers. My concern is that the two senior academics, was current system is giving Name...... based on official Government schools an incentive to select Address...... data. pupils who are easier to ...... Rebecca Allen of the In- teach.” ...... postcode......
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NW Subs, PO Box 73, London SW11 2PQ Write to NCP, PO Box 73, London SW11 2PQ 21 September 2007 THE NEW WORKER Page 7 020 7223 4052 WFTU conference The feminisation of poverty by New Worker employment, casualisation of but too few at leadership that delegates can go away Rome. correspondent jobs, sale of state-owned en- level. from the conference with con- George Mavrikos told the terprises, mergers and acqui- Natalia Lisitsyna from structive strategies and tac- conference last week: “For us LOW PAY, discrimination, sitions of industrial enter- Russia Zaschita Truda spoke tics to implement in their own in the WFTU, in the class ori- long hours, domestic respon- prises, exploitation of cheap of the shocking collapse of conditions. ented trade union movement, sibilities, harassment, vio- labour, shifting of jobs in the conditions for working Ncumisa is an SACP the role of the working woman lence and lack of opportuni- ‘race to the bottom’, denial of women in Russia now. She Member of Parliament in is crucial. The role of working ties are the major problems hard-won legislative entitle- said that mass poverty has South Africa. She told the women in the production pro- facing working women all ments including social secu- become a stable phenomenon New Worker she had first be- cess, in the trade unions, in around the globe. Ninety-five rity, heath care benefits and that has altered the mentality come politicised as a teenager the political struggle can pro- women delegates from trade so on are the worst on- of people. by the Soweto school strike vide additional strength to the unions and progressive politi- slaughts against the workers. Women now face a choice against apartheid in the 1970s. popular struggles now and in cal parties in 62 countries re- “While the phenomenon – to be employed or to give The conference also in- the future. ported a very similar picture of globalisation is pernicious birth, they can no longer be cluded delegates from Af- “The class oriented trade of the situation in their own to the whole of humanity, the expected to be able to do both. ghanistan, Basque, Belgium, union movement has always countries to a two-day confer- capitalist system with its in- Working women now have no Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, had a firm position and fought ence in Brussels last week herent characteristic of creat- rest days and no breaks at all Colombia, Congo, Cuba, for equal rights for working organised by the World Fed- ing subjugation and slavery during their shifts for meals Cyprus, the Dominican Re- women, for equality at work eration of Trade Unions is intrinsically anti-women, or to use the toilet. They are public, Ecuador, France, and in every aspect of life. (WFTU). resulting in the ‘feminisation expected to spend full eight- Gabon, Galicia, Greece, “It struggles to stop the It’s an old, old story but of poverty’.” hour shifts standing at their Guinea, Hungary, Germany, enslavement and trading of the common themes in the Amarjeet Kaur went on to lathes. Natalia also told the Iran, Ireland , Liberia, Malawi, women, for the right of women contributions stood out; most speak of a rising rate of farmer conference that the popula- Mauritius, Nigeria, Pakistan, to vote, for their right to par- countries have equal oppor- suicide in India – and among tion of Russia has decreased Panama, Peru, the Philippines, ticipate in unions, in political tunities legislation and protec- women farmers. But no statis- by around 30 million since the Poland, Portugal Serbia, parties, in government and tion for women from violence tics are kept on women – so early 1990s. Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Tuni- state positions, for the partici- – but these laws are rarely they do not get any benefits Nanuli Kvavadze painted sia, Venezuela and Vietnam. pation of women in social and implemented. or relief. a similar picture of life now in There were apologies and cultural activities. The spread of liberal eco- Many are forced into Georgia. She said the messages of good will from “Many of these rights nomic policies, described as prostitution from as young as privatisation process had many other organisations. were realised in socialist coun- global imperialism by WFTU, 14 and become commodities been a shock therapy with the WFTU paid all accommoda- tries, where the working is having a devastating effect of men. International Monetary Fund tion costs but the price of air woman achieved the status on working class standards of She also spoke of dete- destroying all economic sec- fares was prohibitive to many she was entitled to. living, wages and working riorating working conditions tors. struggling organisations. “Unfortunately, follow- conditions around the globe in call centres where many “Society is being de- The general secretary of ing the counter-revolutionary and women workers are feel- Indian women are employed stroyed; the education sys- WFTU, George Mavrikos, left developments in the period ing the brunt of this. by foreign banks – now mak- tem is so expensive now; it is political campaigning in the 1990-91, the international cor- These same economic ing big job cuts in the current so different from the Soviet Greek general election for a relation of forces changed to policies have increased the global banking crisis. system.” few hours to come and ad- the detriment of the progres- commodification of women, One delegate from West Daphne Liddle, from the dress the conference. He told sive forces. The US and its leading to an alarming in- Bengal spoke of fighting in the Central Committee of the New of the recent revival of WFTU allies enforced a new imperi- crease in the trafficking of streets happening as the con- Communist Party of Britain, following its 15th congress. alist world order and in this women and enforced prosti- ference was taking place, spoke on the devastating ef- In May 2006 WFTU way many of the rights and tution. centred on a trade dispute by fects of high levels of per- organised a trade union con- gains of women were taken Women living in the women in the textile industry. sonal debt on long hours, ference on the “Social phe- away.” former Soviet Union and East- Men trade unionists had health and child neglect and nomenon of economic migra- He told the conference ern Europe who once enjoyed come out in force in solidarity how such debt undermines tion in the 21st century” also that the conclusions of the high standards of equality and with the women in struggle trade unions. held in Brussels and involv- conference will be discussed protection now face some of and this was leading to the Other common factors ing dozens of trade union in all trade unions that are the worst conditions. fighting as police tried to from the delegates were high organisations and academics members of WFTU and sec- But women living in break up marches and sup- levels of political awareness from around the world. retariats for working women China, Vietnam, Cuba and port rallies. and a deep understanding of It also organised a Euro- will be formed in all trade Venezuela are enjoying rising Nemat Hassan from the the class struggle. All were pean trade union conference unions to plan and coordinate standards, though delegates International Confederation well aware that the disadvan- of “The truth about Darfur” struggles. from these countries explained of Arab Trade Unions told the tages of working women arise with representatives from 24 The conclusions will be there are still improvements to conference that Arab working from a class-divided society European countries. sent to international be made. Maria Fabregas from women still have very few and not from any inherent There was a solidarity organisations and govern- the Cuba Construction Trade constitutional rights; their quality of either men or conference with the people of ments and conferences of Union reported that the situ- role is considered to be house- women. Lebanon held in September working women will be held ation for women in Cuba is wives and they lack civil and And the evidence showed 2006 in Athens, which con- in every continent next year. improving; barriers to equal- personal rights. She said that that where men and women demned the imperialist policy The proceedings of the con- ity have come down and gov- Arab societies are generally trade unionists stood firmly of Israel and the United States. ference will be produced in ernment funds have been ear- dominated by men and that together in solidarity, condi- In the International book form and Comrade marked to improve the situa- many women lack political tions improved for both. There Labour Organisation WFTU Mavrikos called on every tion for women further. awareness. Those fighting for was not a trace of bourgeois mounted a defence of Cuba trade union to see that it is Wang Xuemei from the All women’s rights find them- feminism. and Venezuela against slan- translated into the language China Federation of Trade selves in conflict with reli- Ncumisa Kondlo from the derous attacks. And WFTU of its country. Unions, which has 170 million gious ideas. South African Communist took part – along with the The conference produced members, of whom 61 million Anastancia Ndhlovua Party called for a different AFCTU, OATUU and ICATU a final statement that was sub- (36.4 per cent) are women, re- from the World Federation of kind of debate in future con- – in organising the Interna- ject to amendment (mainly ad- ported that China’s legal sys- Democratic Youth spoke of ferences. She said it was not tional Trade Union Forum of ditions) during the debate, tem protects women’s em- the diverse backgrounds and enough to define the prob- Beijing. that described the position of ployment rights. The shift problems of delegates – but lems of women in struggle WFTU also participates in working women and listed es- from rural to urban work in with common themes. everywhere – the problems the United Nations in New sential measures to improve China has led to a greater di- She also spoke on the ef- are the same. What we need York, in Unesco in Paris and things. versification of women’s em- fects of imperialist is to exchange experiences in the Food and Agriculture ployment. But in some sec- globalisation – of unemploy- combating these problems so Organisation of the UN in tors the trade union member- ment, the casualisation of ship of women is low and work and young girls forced women who are not in trade into prostitution. “Prostitu- unions are vulnerable to ex- tion isn’t a job,” she said, “it’s ploitation and discrimination. slavery”. Amarjeet Kaur from the Noluthando Sibiya of the All India TUC reported very South African Confederation serious problems that are ex- of Trade Unions told the con- acerbated by imperialist ference that in South Africa a globalisation, leaving many woman’s average life expect- woman working in slave con- ancy has dropped from 57 ditions. She spoke of rem- years to 47, largely because nants of feudalism, though of the HIV-Aids pandemic. there are emerging traces of She said that the over- socialism in a few areas. throw of apartheid had been She said: “The shenani- a great step forward but now gans of the neo-liberal eco- the overthrow of capitalism nomic globalisation, mass was needed. Neo-liberal eco- privatisation and deregulation nomic policies have increased have bulldozed the domestic all kinds of social ills. markets, destroying the em- She also said that in the • Top: delegates came from ployment potential of the in- trade union movement in all over the world. Middle: dustries. South Africa there were many George Mavrikos. Bottom: “Unemployment, under- women at rank and file level Russian delegates. Page 8 21 September 2007
International News Web: www.newworker.org Fax 020 7223 4057 Philippines Nepalese Maoists Greek communist communist leader quit government surge freed MINISTERS of the Commu- nist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M) resigned from the in poll Philippines communist interim government on Tues- leader Jose Maria Sison day demanding an end to the by our European was released from prison monarchy and threatened to Affairs correspondent last week after a Dutch raise arms again if their court failed to find peaceful protests are sup- THE GREEK communist “sufficient indications” that pressed. party (KKE) almost doubled Addressing a mass meet- he was involved in alleged its seats in parliament fol- ing in Kathmandu to formally lowing last Sunday’s general political murders in the announce the pull-out from Philippines. But the election which saw a slump the government and to launch in support for the two major charges have not been fresh agitation, Baburam parties that have dominated dropped and the police Bhattarai, second-in-com- Greek politics since the over- investigation continues. mand of the CPN-M, said they throw of the military dictator- Prof Sison, the founder of will disrupt the Constituent ship in 1974. Assembly (CA) polls if they The bourgeois New De- the Communist Party of are held without declaring the the Philippines (CPP) and mocracy (ND) bloc was re- country a republic first. An- turned to office with a re- its armed wing, the New nouncing a two-week-long People’s Army (NPA), has duced majority and the social first phase of protest actions, democratic Pan-Hellenic So- lived in exile in the Bhattarai said their peaceful cialist Party (PASOK) also Netherlands since 1987 protests will basically focus • Maoist supporters demonstrate in Kathmandu. dipped. The left social-demo- and was charged on 28th on people’s mobilisation. Democratic president Sher four ministers representing cratic SYRIZA bloc also August with having Bhattarai said that their pro- Prasad Koirala’s official resi- doubled its vote and the fas- tests are aimed at “abolishing dence failed to reach an un- Bahadur Deuba and General CPN-M in the government ordered the killings of Secretary of the Communist handed over their resignation cist Popular Orthodox Rally the monarchy once and for derstanding on the immediate (LAOS) entered parliament for former comrades who had all”. abolition of monarchy. The Party of Nepal Unity Centre- to the prime minister at the end led a faction split away Mashal, Prakash who has of Tuesday’s talks which the first time. The CPN-M will launched meeting was attended by top The KKE Central Commit- from the CPP. Bayan, the a door-to-door campaign this leaders from the country’s been taking the initiative to failed to reach a consensus. defuse the political deadlock The Maoist ministers were in tee making a first assessment Bagong Alyansang week with mass meetings in four major political parties. of the results underlined that Makabayan (New Patriotic each Village Development Prime Minister Koirala, over the last two days, were charge of Information and Communications; Physical the party is committed to meet Alliance) issued the Committees and municipality Communist Party of Nepal- also among the leaders attend- ing the meeting. Planning and Works; Local the expectations of all those the week after. Unified Marxist Leninist Gen- voters, among them a large following statement on his The move came after a eral Secretary Madhav Kumar CPN-UML leader Development and Women, release. Jhalanath Khanal, who also Children and Social Welfare. number of young people, meeting held Tuesday morn- Nepal, CPN-M chairman who for the first time trusted ing at Prime Minister Girija Prachanda, Nepali Congress- took part in the meeting, said Xinhua news agency BAYAN is happy with the re- the Party. The Party will try to lease of Prof Sison from his strengthen the bonds with more than two weeks of de- them in the fields of struggle, tention by the Dutch authori- Huge anti-war march political action and dialogue ties. This is a victory in his Imperialism’s greedy for the alternative. continuing fight against po- The Central Committee litical persecution by the in Washington noted that the rise in the popu- Dutch, Philippine and United eyes on Africa lar vote for the KKE, in com- States governments. NEARLY 100,000 people – then laid down in a symbolic bination with the losses of led by anti-war Iraq veterans, both the ND and PASOK par- The three governments by Nestor Nuñez its governments, but in re- “die-in” – one of the largest have conspired to have Sison ality its aim is to estab- military families and others acts of civil disobedience in ties, corresponds to a certain –marched from the White extent to the communist call listed as a terrorist and then lish a military force to con- recent years. AFRICA has once again House to the Capitol in Wash- One-hundred and ninety- for the weakening of these later have him detained on trol Africa’s energy re- trumped up charges of incite- assumed an essential ington, DC last weekend to seven people, including doz- two parties and strengthen- ment to murder. This is a ma- role within the geopoli- sources recently under demand an immediate end to ens of veterans and activists, ing of the KKE. But at the jor setback in their dastardly tics of the ruling circles exploration. the occupation of Iraq. The were arrested when they tried same time the two mainstream plans to criminalise Sison and of American imperial- Many realise that Af- march concluded with a dra- to deliver their anti-war mes- parties still retained a high the cause he has fought for. ism. The apparent dis- rican oil could supply a matic “die-in” of 5,000 people sage to Congress and were vote, despite popular dissat- The Dutch court decision covery of oil in the Gulf quarter of the US imports surrounding the Capitol. Al- stopped by the police. isfaction. found that there was no of Guinea and other na- with the advantage that most 200 people were ar- Police pepper-sprayed Strong efforts are needed strong evidence linking Prof tions of the continent Africa is geographically rested when police prevented demonstrators on Saturday in order to develop struggles Sison to the deaths of Romulo located closer to America them from taking an anti-war without provocation. to defeat the anti-popular has renewed measures that the ND govern- Kintanar and Arturo Tabara. Washington’s greed and in areas with less message to Congress. Protests continue in the The fight of Prof Sison is conflicts than the Middle People marched shoulder- US capital all this week – with ment will put forward and to and moved it to take to-shoulder down eight-lane- civil disobedience actions counter the centre-left and by no means over. The Dutch urgent control mea- East and Central Asia, at prosecution will appeal wide Pennsylvania Avenue, planned at military recruitment centre-right scenarios, aiming sures. least for now. with the densely packed centres throughout the Wash- at developing the current two- against the decision of the In fact, the establish- court. For all we know, this According to an an- march stretching more than ington area and a protest by party system into a bipolar may not be the last fabricated nouncement made by the ment of a single com- ten blocks. Organisers said it Iraq veterans at the Pentagon. one. charge against Sison that the Pentagon, by defence mand to operate in Africa was an historic action and a Radio Havana Cuba Manila government will con- secretary Robert Gates, responds to the insis- step forward for the anti-war coct. the so-called “US African tence of military leaders movement, with more activ- We call for the immediate Command” will be fully op- and US energy companies ists calling for greater civil dis- stop to the political persecu- erational in 2008. With the operating in the region obedience actions. tion of Prof Sison and the exception of Egypt, it who are demanding an Speaking at a rally prior to other progressives in Europe. places the whole zone un- increased US military the march on Saturday, anti- In the same vein, we call for a presence after the prom- war activist Cindy Sheehan der the under the single told the crowd is was time to stop to the political persecu- command of the United ising discovery of new and tion of activists here in the be assertive, “time to lay our States. rich oil fields. In fact that bodies on the line and say Philippines. We call for a stop is the major motivation for to the never-ending filing of According to Gates, we’ve had enough”. And she trumped up charges to harass the essential tasks of this Washington. added: “It’s time to shut this and detain activists. military command will be Washington does not city down”. As the march The announcement of the to “increase the anti-ter- care if Africa is the most stepped off, thousands held Arroyo government [in the rorist actions of those na- impoverished continent banners and signs and Philippines] that it is offering tions concerned, support- on Earth; that Aids is de- shouted: “What do we want? the CPP-NPA-NDF amnesty ing the security forces of stroying entire nations and Troops out! When do we or face all-out war is contrary the continent and if nec- drought and hunger are want it? Now!” to the spirit of the peace pro- essary leading and con- killing people. Only the Protesters surged onto the cess. We are very sure that smell of oil and the possi- Capitol’s south lawn and up ducting military actions in the steps where they were the Arroyo government is us- the area”. bility of earning a great ing the amnesty proclamation met by a line of police dressed Washington insists deal of money out of the in riot gear. There, Iraq veter- to lay the basis for escalated so called anti -terrorist war. This counter-insurgency that it seeks to assist the ans conducted a solemn cer- tactic has also resulted in the forgotten continent crusade spurs them on. emony to commemorate the extra-judicial killings of activ- through co-operation with ACN (Cuba) US soldiers and Iraqis killed in the war. Over 5,000 people ists over the last of six years. as a newspaper. Printed by New Age Press (TU). Registed at the Post Office Lil-lets work- ers demon- strate in Bir- mingham
MEMBERS of the giant Unite union employed by the sani- tary product maker Lil-lets took to the streets of Bir- mingham last Saturday, 15th September, along with sup- porters and fellow trade unionists, to protest at the loss of their jobs and an at- tack on their pension pros- pects after the company was bought in a private equity deal. They were joined by Dr Carl Chinn (local celebrity and historian) in a demonstration at Victoria Square in Birming- ham city centre. Around 150 workers were left devastated when the Bir- mingham factory closed in June with operations in Brit- ain transferred to Taiwan and South Africa. The plant had a 112 year history in Alum Rock, Bir- mingham. Furthermore, to add insult to injury, 46 of its em- ployees aged over 50 had ex- pected to receive a full “con- sent” pension. The new owners refused to fund that expectation and as a direct result, the pension these employees expected to receive is – in some cases – 30 per cent lower than ex- pected. Unite believes this is mor- ally and ethically wrong as these employees have given long and loyal service to the company and the only reason the employer has moved abroad is to make even more profits than they do now.