Not lovin' it
LABOUR RIGHTS
Protests by Chinese workers, manufacturing the garish plastic toys McDonald’s uses to lure children through its golden arches, descended into a riot last month. China Labor Watch reports that 1,000 of the 10,000 workers who live and work in the Hong Kong factory took part. Many were injured and dozens arrested. The protestors, who also make toys for Disney, Mattel and Warner, claimed to be suffering under terrible working conditions. ‘Chinese workers live at the bottom of society,’ commented Li Qiang, China Labor Watch Director. ‘They have no means to voice their needs or to protect their lawful rights. Workers will only stand up and fight when their situation is so miserable that they do not have any other options... McDonald’s and Mattel have not lived up to their social responsibilities as large corporations, and have not respected their own codes of conduct.’
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Voices from the margins:
Multimedia: video, podcasts, and more.
- Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe
- The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.
- Iranian women speak out
- 3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.
- Raised Voices audio:
- Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power
- Vinayan from India on agriculture
New Internationalist (NI) workers' co-operative exists to report on issues of world poverty and inequality; to focus attention on the unjust relationship between the powerful and the powerless worldwide; to debate and campaign for the radical changes necessary to meet the basic needs of all; and to bring to life the people, the ideas and the action in the fight for global justice.
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