The political situation in Pakistan is moving towards sharp confrontation. The last three weeks have demonstrated that the opposition has gained confidence to challenge the government in the streets. Though the anti-government movement has not yet reached the critical mass to sustain nationwide agitation, the diverse opposition is trying to close ranks and to try and dislodge the Musharaf-led, military-dominated, political order.

By Khalid Bhatti, Socialist Movement Pakistan, Lahore
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On China’s highly automated assembly lines, the capitalists prefer to use female labour and even child labour. This way they get around the soaring price of the male worker, who is mainly used to perform technical tasks.

By Huang Xin, CWI correspondent in China (more…)

A year after his government was re-elected to power with an unprecedented mandate, the business tycoon-turned-politician, Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, is facing a political hurricane that has the potential of bringing about his government?s downfall.

By Ravie Chandren, Socialist Party (more…)

To mark International Women?s Day (8 March) this year, the Committee for a Workers’ International is publishing a collection of nine articles contributed by members of our sections across the globe.
By Clare Doyle, CWI (more…)

A general strike last week by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) stopped three bills regarding non-regular workers from reaching final approval.The strikes, in which 300,000 workers took part, occurred on Tuesday February 28th and Thursday 2nd March. (more…)

The following article was recently carried in several papers and on the websites of The Australian, Adelaide Advertiser and Sydney Morning Herald. It includes quotes from Socialist Party National Organiser, Anthony Main. All of the mainstrem television stations also carried the story and showed footage (leaked by protesters) of police kneeing a young demonstrator. The Victoria police have yet to make an offical statement about the incident. (more…)

Why we’re standing for socialism

Below we are printing the text of an open letter written by two ex-Labour councillors in Stoke-on-Trent, Paul and Dave Sutton. In it they explain to their constituents their reasons for leaving New Labour and joining the Socialist Party. Stoke-on-Trent is in the North West Midlands of England, situated halfway between Birmingham and Manchester.
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New Socialist Alternative, (SP’s sister organisation in India) has launched their own website at www.socialism.in. This marks a welcome step forward for the work of the Committee for a Workers’ International in South Asia, where there are also sister sections in Sri Lanka (United Socialist Party) and Pakistan (Socialist Movement Pakistan). To visit the site Click here

At 1pm today, about 160 locals attended a great Collingwood Action Group (CAG) rally at the corner of Webb and Smith Streets in Collingwood. They were there to protest against the State government’s approval with only minor changes of the Banco developers’ plans for the area which include three massive towers, carparks, supermarkets, 161 apartments with not a child care center in sight. (more…)

The past two days have seen demonstrations take place against the 10 year anniversary of the Howard government in office. In both Sydney and Melbourne rowdy demonstrations have been held. The following report has been carried in the mainstream local, national and international media. The Socialist Party will be publishing its own report very soon. (more…)