Labor's Reach: Asia-Pacific

Across Asia-Pacific, a wave of worker unrest is unfolding, driven by issues of low pay, unpaid wages, and poor working conditions. In Kerala, India, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers are in their eighth week of strike, demanding better wages and working conditions. Their prolonged action highlights the persistent struggle for basic rights within India's healthcare workforce. Meanwhile, in Gazipur, Bangladesh, garment workers employed by TNZ Group are protesting for unpaid wages. The garment industry in Bangladesh, notorious for its exploitative practices, remains a hotbed of labor disputes as workers fight for their rightfully earned compensation. In Australia, workers at the Castlemaine Perkins brewery have launched a strike seeking higher wages. This industrial action reflects a broader trend of workers demanding fair compensation in the face of rising living costs and corporate profitability. Simultaneously, mental health workers in Victoria have organized a strike and marched on parliament, protesting inadequate resources and demanding improved support for mental health services. Finally, in New Zealand, hospitality workers are protesting against the low minimum wage, arguing it is insufficient to meet the basic needs of workers in the sector. The protests highlight the persistent struggle for a living wage and better working conditions for those employed in the hospitality industry. Together, these disparate events illustrate a growing global trend of worker activism driven by shared concerns over wages, working conditions, and economic inequality. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/04/04/mwkh-a04.html