The people in Sri Lanka who lost everything in the tsunami disaster of 26 December are still left with nothing.

Siritunga Jayasuriya, Secretary of the United Socialist Party (CWI, Sri Lanka) reports….. (more…)

The successful fight against conscription in Australia during World War One and the general shift to the left in this period is important for all workers interested in their history. Anti-consription mass movements, a General Strike, unions calls for One Big Union and Socialism as the central objective of the ALP is not something you learn at school. What follows is a shortened transcript of the lead-off at the two Melbourne branch meetings last week on this issue, making up part 3 of their sessions on the history of Revolution and Counter-Revolution. (more…)

More than 20,000 people die each day in the neo-colonial world because of “extreme poverty”. In Africa - the immediate object of the mass campaign to “make poverty history” - 4.8 million in sub-Saharan Africa currently die before the age of five every year according to the United Nations (UN). That’s nine deaths every minute.
By Peter Taaffe, General Secretary, Socialist Party England and Wales (more…)

June 30th is the last day before Howard takes control of both houses of Parliament. This will give him the freedom to implement his industrial relations counter-reforms. Stop work actions and demonstrations will be taking place all around the counrty on this day. (more…)

The last day of school proir to the mid year break saw a 500 strong student strike and march against the Howard government in Melbourne. The activities on the day were organised by UNITE, the group campaiging against low pay and for casual workers rights. (more…)

Joe Higgins has enjoyed a rising profile during the life of this Dáil, with his roles as the figurehead of the anti-bin tax and Gama workers’ protests gaining him a national profile. He is also known as one of the best orators in Leinster House. Though his serious, almost stern, image befits the wearer of the mantle of James Connolly, he has a line in rhetorical flourishes that regularly brings the House to laughter. (more…)

EVERY DAY there are new scientific reports about the growing crisis of the environment, particularly climate change. Global warming is the rise in the Earth’s temperature caused by increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other ‘greenhouse’ gases in the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.

Many politicians including John Howard and Bob Carr are suggesting nuclear power may be a solution to reduce greenhouse gases and combat global warming.

BILL GORDON looks at the real issues.
(more…)

Employees? Union leaders sign deal but workers still oppose privatisation

After almost three weeks of struggle against privatisation, most Pakistan Telecommunication (PTCL) workers have returned to work. This follows national leaders of the Employees? Union, one of the unions in the nine-union strong Action Committee, signing a deal with the government.

Report compiled by socialistworld.net (more…)

How to Build the Counter-Recruitment Movement in the US

By Ty Moore, Socialist Alternative (CWI) United States (more…)

Sri Lanka was plunged into renewed crisis at midnight (15 June) as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) carried out its threat to leave the government over President Chandrika Kumaratunga?s plans for a temporary tsunami aid agreement with the Tamil Tiger guerillas, which control a large slice of the island?s north and east.
Laurence Coates spoke to Siri Jayasuria, General Secretary, United Socialist Party (CWI), Sri Lanka (more…)