he National Farmers Federation says another 20,000 pickers are needed to harvest Australia's crops. Growers complain of fruit rotting on the ground. Backpackers and others are heading to farms on the promise of abundant work, only to find the promises are often empty and it costs them more in rent than they can earn.

see comments: http://www.hostelz.com/hostel/35003-Victorias-Borderline-Backpackers

Reporter, Brendan King. AUDIO http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2010/2902697.htm

Also - awaiting podcast - community radio station 3CR industrial show STICK TOGETHER this morning had interview with Mohave Desert Borax miners strike organiser from ILWU about the battle with Rio Tinto. International solidarity helped win the dispute.

see http://www.boraxminers.com/

Second part of the show interviewed a fellow from UNITE (retail and service industry union network) about international students exploited and underpaid at 7-Eleven store in Geelong http://7elevenworkers.wordpress.com/

AUDIO http://www.3cr.org.au/sticktogether

Another Liberal Party bails out yet more Corporate Crims - this time the Reid's James Hardie Asbestos scammers. Great to know the wage slave victims will get some of their stolen $ back as compo but as usual the Captians of Industry continue to "free-trade" overseas, geeting away with "blue murder"...