Yes Vote Struggles

Published on Oct 4, 2023 by Luke Hunt

Artwork: Corrobore on Emerald Hill (South Melbourne) painted by W.F.E. Liardet 1840.Supporters of constitutional change that will guarantee Australia’s indigenous people a say in parliament are ramping up their efforts to win over a dubious middle ground after the latest opinion polls put the no campaign slightly in front.Tens of thousands of people are staging weekend rallies in cities and towns across the country — and as far away as New York — with millions of dollars being poured into campaigning to stave off what many say is “hysterical scaremongering” by opposing conservatives.“I’m frightened,” said Nicole, who works in a high-end fashion boutique in Melbourne.Read more from UCAN by clicking here..

Australians Asked to Vote Yes

Published on Oct 3, 2023 by Luke Hunt

On October 14, Australians are being asked to recognize Aboriginal Torres Straits Islanders in the Federal Constitution through a referendum. Studio Bomborra supports the Yes campaign.Voters will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on a single question. The question on the ballot paper will be:“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.Do you approve this proposed alteration?”Read the referendum question and constitutional amendment.For more information visit the Australian Electoral Commission for information on enrolment and voting by clicking here..

Workers Rights in Asia

Published on Apr 2, 2022 by Luke Hunt

A podcast with Dave Welsh. Independent trade unions in Thailand and Myanmar are currently doing it hard, with authoritarian regimes in both countries taking a dim view of labor activism and using the courts to silence complaints over plant closures and even disputes over railway safety.Charges against the State Railway Union of Thailand and13 unionists, including Sawit Kaevwan, head of the overall Thai Trade Union Movement, and court orders issued against major garment brands like Victoria’s Secret, Torrid, and Lane Bryant are among them.Dave Welsh is the country director for Thailand and Myanmar of the Solidarity Center, an international labor rights organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices and programs in 60 countries. Listen here..

Trade Unions in Asia

Published on May 16, 2021 by Luke Hunt

A podcast with Wim Conklin who has served as Country Program Director for the Solidarity Center Cambodia for the past five years and has worked on international labor programs in South and Southeast Asia since 1994.In recent years he has also worked closely with garment workers and their employers and the hotel industry. Both sectors have been severely punished by the COVID-19 virus, which has escalated in Cambodia with authorities scrambling to rollout the government’s vaccination program.Conklin spoke with Luke Hunt about the plight of low-paid workers in Cambodia, the difficulties they are facing due to the pandemic, and what industry needs to do once the virus subsides. Listen here..

Honour Killing in Indonesia

Published on Jun 21, 2020 by Luke Hunt

The tragic murder of a 16-year-old schoolgirl will sorely test the judiciary in Indonesia, where Islamic hardliners are increasing their grip on a moderate society deeply upset by what has been described as the country’s first honor killing. Brothers Rahman and Surianto are facing the death penalty for hacking and beating to death their sister Rosmini binte Darwis on May 9 with a log and a machete as her family watched the murder in their home. Their case is expected to be heard early next month. Read more click here. .