Workers across Asia and Australia are escalating protests and strikes to address various labor-related grievances, spanning issues from job security to wage disputes.
Asia
Employees of the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) plan a two-day nationwide hunger strike on November 2-3. Organized by the United Forum of IDBI Officers and Employees (UFIOE), the protest opposes the proposed sale of the bank to Fairfax Financial Holdings. Workers demand that the government maintain at least 51 percent ownership and seek written guarantees covering employee benefits and working conditions.
The UFIOE warns that if their concerns are not addressed, protests could escalate to a prolonged or indefinite strike. They also request conditions for current employees to transfer to public sector banks with retention of pay, seniority, and retirement benefits.
In Kolar, Karnataka, employees at Tata Electronics protested following the death of 23-year-old Gundy Srimathi, who died after a medical emergency. Workers gathered outside the factory, demanding accountability and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, National Health Mission workers in Telangana have been on an indefinite strike since October 13, advocating for permanent positions and improved pay for approximately 17,000 employees. They have highlighted that many have been on contract for nearly two decades without security.
In Maharashtra, garment workers at a Laxmipati Group facility in Surat protested over delayed wages on October 15. They halted work until police intervened, whereupon discussions led to their return to work.
Punjab’s public transport employees from Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation initiated an indefinite strike on October 21, causing significant disruption to statewide bus services. The workers are insisting on permanent contracts and accountability from management after ongoing negotiations yielded no results.
In Pakistan, teachers in Sukkur protested on October 14, conducting a token hunger strike to demand approval of their service structure from the Sindh government.
Garment workers in Bangladesh have engaged in multiple protests over unpaid salaries and low wages. Significant confrontations with police have resulted in injuries, exacerbating tensions in Dhaka and Gazipur as demands for better pay and conditions continue.
Australia
Allied health workers in Victoria have intensified work bans starting October 19, rejecting a government offer of nominal pay increases. Their dispute, ongoing for over a year, has included several statewide strikes, with the latest negotiation stymied by the state government’s decision to postpone bargaining until after the forthcoming elections.
On October 20, Fair Work Commission ordered a suspension of work bans by control room operators at the Australian Energy Market Operator, who had been seeking improved pay and protections against the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs.
In Hobart, mental health nurses and aged care workers have also taken action, demanding wage parity and better employment conditions, including increased parental leave and personal leave. The Australian Education Union members in ACT public schools held rolling one-hour stoppages to protest against inadequate pay offers and escalating workloads.
With ongoing strikes and protests continuing to evolve, workers across these regions remain engaged in pressing efforts to secure their rights and demands.
