Industrial Workers of the World

Most schools are occupied by pupils demanding a series of practical changes in: a) infrastructure (such as heating, insulation etc), b) provision of free books (as entitled by the free education scheme of the country), c) staff (too few teachers for too many schools). A few high-schools are occupied as a move of total negation of education (to these refers the Nuclei of Fire communique that has caused a sensation in the national media). http://libcom.org/news/high-school-occupations-snowball-response-repression-greece-04112009

Most recently, on the 17th of October, the president of the pupil's council and one more pupil of the 4th high-school of the city of Karditsa were arrested on charges of obstructing the function of a public service, after the pupils of the squatted school staged a demo against the installation of an iron fence around the premises, with the central slogan being "School is not a Prison". After the reaction of the Teacher's Union (OLME) the pupils were released. While the repression escalates, several schools in Athens and Thessaloniki have opposed the annual election of representatives, opting for direct-democratic procedures without the realm of state-recognised legality. In the city of Peiraeus, on the 17th of October the Autonomous Coordination Squat Committee, held a protest march for "Liberatory free and public education". http://libcom.org/news/more-300-schools-squatted-throughout-greece-protest-against-educational-reform-face-repress

Peiraeus dockworkers resume strikes The dockworkers have called another 48h strike for Thursday and Friday, extended till Sunday (legally weekend industrial action does not count as a "strike" but as a "withdrawal of overtime work". This means the biggest part of export and import in Peiraeus will be once again facing immense pressure. The dockworkers demand an immediate 2-month freeze to COSCO operations in the harbour area during which unforced and equal dialogue can develop. The workers will meet on Sunday to decide on extending their strike in the case of their demands not being met. http://libcom.org/news/peiraeus-dockworkers-resume-strikes-02112009

Meanwhile in Bangladesh

"The government will not tolerate anarchism in garment sector as this is the main source of foreign currency." - Prime Minister Hasina. (Daily Star - Nov 3 09)

"The law-enforcers had to fire rubber bullets from shotguns to disperse the workers who hurled stones and bricks at our officers," Inspector Shafiqul Alam said". Three people were shot dead by cops, with 100 others injured, several with bullet wounds. Included in the casualties were 16 policemen (one in a critical condition). News footage shows police shooting indiscriminately into buildings. Workers and locals reported that police ransacked homes and small shops in the area. By 11.30am an increased security presence reduced the disturbances - but periodic clashes continued into the afternoon as news of the deaths spread alongside claims by workers of seeing police hiding and removing other corpses. Nine of the injured were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, clinic official Abdul Baten told AFP. "All of the injured have wounds caused by live ammunition and some are in serious condition," he said. Police insisted, however, they used only rubber bullets to quell the unrest. (World News Australia - 1 Nov 09) http://libcom.org/news/3-dead-garment-workers-clashes-unions-promised-new-role-04112009

SINGING:

Did you read about the army officer's plea

For donor's blood?

It was given willingly

By boys who took the needles in their veins

And from their bodies every drop of blood was drained

No time to comprehend and there was little pain

And so the story of Bangladesh

Is an ancient one again made fresh

By all who carry out commands

Which flow out of the laws upon which nations stand

Which say to sacrifice a people for a land

Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bangladesh, Bangladesh

Words and Music by Joan Baez 1972

WE HAVE NO NATIVE WORKERS, our living conditions are intertwined with the sisters and brothers throughout the world. SAC - Sweden November 2009