Strikers at Honda China Supplier Demand Apology
Striking workers at a plant supplying parts to Honda Motors in China operations have issued a long list of demands for returning to work, aiming to win better conditions commensurate with China’s rising economic clout. Stoppages at foreign-run factories across China by workers demanding pay increases disrupted operations for several weeks in May and June, but the wave of unrest tapered off by the end of last month.

The latest strike began on July 12 when the plant operated by Atsumitec tried to fire 90 workers demanding better pay and conditions. They also asked the Japanese management to apologize to Chinese workers  for its conduct during the standoff, and to promise not to lay off any employee for the next two years. The workers are also seeking a pay increase of about 500 yuan ($74) per month. Wages currently average 980 yuan.

A worker confirmed that some production had restarted after the company brought in outsiders to work. Meanwhile, the factory had ceased to provide drinking water to the strikers. The factory  makes car gear sticks in the south China city of  Foshan.

Philip Morris Warned over Kazakh Labor Issues
Cigarette maker Philip Morris has acknowledged ”serious issues” after a report said it had bought tobacco from Kazakh farms that used forced and child labor. The company said it had taken “immediate steps” to ban certain practices and to increase monitoring. The report by Human Rights Watch said  migrant workers had their passports seized and worked enforced overtime.

The agency said its report was based on interviews carried out in 2009 with  68 people. It found that employers failed to pay  workers regularly and cheated them of their earnings. Some families were forced to work for eight or nine months before being paid a lump sum after the tobacco harvest. In some cases, children as young as ten were working in the tobacco fields.

Philip Morris issued a statement in which it said it had “strengthened obligations for farmers toward their workers.” “No one should work in unsafe and unlawful conditions,” the statement said. The company, based in Switzerland, sells tobacco products in 160 countries.

Wave of Anti-Union Repression in Panama
Violent repression of  a strike by banana and construction workers on July 8 in the Bocas del Toro Province, Panama, has caused the death of six workers, with more than 100 people injured and at least 300 arrests. The striking workers were protesting against the decision of the government of Panama to impose Law 30, which undermines fundamental rights, such as the right to strike and freedom of association.

Law 30 also penalizes workers who take their protests to the streets, an offense that can result in up to two years in prison. According to the latest news,  the government has called a cabinet meeting, which is expected to adopt further repressive measures, such as arrest warrants against specific trade union leaders.  The formal suspension of trade union rights is also a possibility.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and its affiliates in Panama has demanded the immediate repeal of Law 30, which has given the police a license to kill, creating a climate of extreme violence that led to the bloody events of July 8. The ITUC  has also demanded an investigation of the police intervention in the strikers’ peaceful protest.

Bahrain Strike Against DHL Called Off after Pay Accord
A strike by some 360 staff workers at DHL, a global shipping express company, was called off July 14 at the last minute after a compromise on pay and allowances was reached  The Bahrain trade unionists had threatened to go on strike if their demand for better pay  and conditions were not met.

Negotiations had been going on since February when staff complained about failing to get a satisfactory pay increase and suitable heat, shift and transport allowances. Those involved were Bahrainis and expatriates at all levels of the company, including office and sorting staff, management and drivers. The company has now agreed to pay workers transport, shift and heat allowances as well as offer extended health benefits for their families.

A DHL spokeswoman said progress has been made but negotiations were still ongoing. “DHL is still actively engaged in discussions with the union to reach a common understanding,” she said, adding: “We are pleased by positive developments which have resulted in no interruption of work. We are hopeful  that a mutually beneficial resolution can be reached soon.”

Sweden’s  Sick Benefit Reform Puts People Back to Work
The government’s reforms for sick benefits have resulted in a large number of people moving into work or training programs. The reforms have placed a limit on the time people could be on sick leave. People who have been on state sick benefits for more than 180 days are now forced either to apply for work or training. Or to seek lower benefits from Sweden’s social insurance agency.

Of the 18,000 people who passed the 180-day limit since the beginning of the year, only 6,000 have applied for continued sick benefits; the remaining 12,000 have either gotten work or have started a training program run by  Arbetsformedling, the Swedish state labor exchange.

Social insurance minister Cristina Hussar Pehrsson said the reform had been successful. “Twenty percent are in work of some at sort and 40 percent are still in a program Arbetsformedlingen. Previously, 100 percent were on sick insurance benefits,” she said.

German Rail Officials Open Talks  with Deutsche Bahn
Officers from two of Germany’s main train unions announced their demands on July 12,  ahead of the opening of negotiations with Deutsche Bahn, the country’s national rail carrier.    “Our goal is again to make it clear to the management of Deutsche Bah that what is important for us is to have improved income for employees of Deutsche Bahn and an industry-wide contract,” Transmit union chairman Alexander Kirchner told reporters.

The two unions are seeking a 6  percent improvement in compensation for the  165,000 employees of the German rail carrier. If the two unions do not reach a deal  by the end of this month, a strike could be called, raising the possibility  that the country’s passenger rail transport system would be paralyzed during the popular summer traveling season.

“Warning strikes will then be possible, if necessary, across the country, which means that we will strike not only at Deutsche Bahn, but also at private rail operators, Kirchner warned.