Nigerian workers on the march again: General Strike Commences Less than a month ago the present government of Nigeria was brought into office on the basis of blatant and massive fraud in the elections. We predicted it would be a weak regime with no real base in society. Faced with a general strike this regime has already been forced to make concessions. But it is only playing for time.
Arrests of left activists go unabated in Morocco - Mood of the masses is changing The increasing use of repressive measures in Morocco reflects the weakness, not the strength of the present regime. We can expect more of this in the next periods as the protests spread. The families of the arrested workers and youth thank everyone for their support and renew their appeal for more solidarity actions.
Where is Nigeria Going? The recent elections in Nigeria were blatantly rigged, but the nature of the official opposition – as corrupt as the clique in power – means the masses have no clear point of reference to rally round. In this situation the responsibility of the leaders of the labour movement is enormous. If they gave a lead the masses would rally behind them and it would mean the end of this regime and the beginning of the struggle for socialism.
Morocco: Rieker Shoe factory sacks ten more workers and issues order to “Eradicate the Marxist cells!” The answer of the Swiss bosses to the international solidarity campaign with the workers at the Rieker shoe factory in Morocco has been to sack another ten workers! The orde was quite specific: “Eradicate the Marxist cells!” Please take part in the campaign and send messages to the addresses provided.
Morocco: Health of one of the political prisoners is deteriorating The health of one of the political prisoners recently arrested in Morocco, Abderahim Karrad, is being seriously affected by the conditions in his cell. Please continue the protest campaign.
Morocco: three years in prison for shouting slogans against the monarchy! Repressive measures in Morocco are being stepped up. The five activists arrested in Ksar-ek-kebir in the aftermath of the May Day demonstrations have been sentenced to three years in prison! They need the solidarity of the workers and youth of the world. Please take up the issue in your country and join the protest movement.
Demonstration in support of the political prisoners in Morocco Further to yesterday's report, we publish some pictures of the demonstration in support of the political prisoners of KK yesterday in front of the court. The sit-in was composed of young left wing activists, members of the union, of the ANCDM (the unemployed youth association), of the AMDH (the Human Rights Association) and of activists of the youth of Voie Democratique.
Wave of repression against the left in Morocco A number of left-wing activists have been arrested and sentenced to severe terms in prison in Morocco. The regime is cracking down because there is a growing wave of militancy in the country. Please sign and send off the protest letter here provided.
Marxists on Mayday rally in Nigeria For the first time in years there was one joint Mayday rally in Nigeria of all the trade unions. The Marxists intervened successfully in spite of attempts by the police to stop the distribution of material. Meanwhile the petit bourgeois left are once again making the same mistakes as in the past by mouthing the same slogans as the bourgeois “opposition”.
Nigeria: 2007 Elections – transition of turbulence The recent elections in Nigeria were blatantly rigged. The problem is that the official bourgeois oppositions is incapable of doing anything about it. That is because they serve the same interests. It is up to the working class to build its own party through the trade unions and offer a genuine socialist way out of the present crisis.
Nigeria: An appeal to defend Ile-Ife OAU Students The Nigerian authorities are attempting to crush all independent student union representation. At the OAU campus the students are valiantly defending their right to organise but have been met with a brutal response. Please add your name to the protest.
Chemical hell at luxury shoe factory in Morocco - Reinstate sacked workers’ leader now! Workers at the Riekebir shoe factory in Morocco work under terrible conditions with dangerous chemicals. They have set up a union and are fighting for better and safer working conditions. The bosses have launched a counter campaign of sackings and intimidation. We are launching the following appeal in support of the workers at the factory.
Nigeria: Obasanjo’s Economic Reform - A blessing or a curse? The Obasanjo regime in Nigeria boasts about its economic achievements, but it is only fooling itself. The real situation is that polarisation between the classes, with extreme wealth for the few and intense poverty for the many, has never been so great.
Ranbaxy Nigeria Limited - Rosemary Olagoke victimised for a just cause Here we have a blatant case of victimisation of a female trade union activist in Nigeria, victimised for defending her fellow workers.
Nigerian Labour Party: What manner of Workers’ Party? A Labour Party has been launched in Nigeria and is standing candidates in the forthcoming elections. Unfortunately it is dominated by bourgeois politicians, in many cases people who have abandoned the rotten ship of the discredited parties that make up the present set up. That may explain why so few workers have joined it so far.