
Issue No 94		04 May 2001

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News

Temple Workers Return to India Victorious

India's newest converts to trade unionism will return home this weekend after winning a significant back-pay case with the help of the NSW labour movement.

The temple workers' struggle became a symbol of the federal government's mishandling of the working visa system, when it emerged they were being paid just $45 per month to build a Hindu temple at Helensburg.

Immigration Minister Phillip Ruddock came under public pressure for his Department's failure to ensure that guest workers, brought in because of skill shortages, are paid Australian wages and conditions.

While the temple operators claimed the workers were motivated by their 'spiritual commitment' and were sending home $100 per week to their families, the workers went on strike when they learnt how much they were being underpaid.

This followed a visit from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, which - acting on a top-off - raided the site, signed the members up and took up their case publicly.

Deal to Remain Confidential

After three months of tough negotiations, the workers have been given a lump-sum payout by the Sri Venkateswara Temple Association.

The terms of the agreement will remain strictly confidential, but the workers say they are pleased with the outcome.

The 12 workers last night personally thanked Labor Council and their affiliates for their support and vowed to spread trade unionism in their home state of Tamil Nadu. They also presented CFMEU state secretary Andrew Ferguson with a statue, which they carved while

Ferguson last night paid tribute to the workers 's courage in taking up the fight on behalf of all guest workers.

During the dispute, the Indian temple workers also added their support to other workers' - famously when they challenged the grenadier clothing workers to a game of picket cricket.

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Issue 94 contents

Interview: Global Action
The CFMEU has been a world leader in fighting the war on global corporations. John Maitland has been one of the generals.

Unions: Sisters United
In her May Day address, Bus Union state president Pat Ryan looks at the role women have played in the labour movement.

Politics: M1 and the Trade Unions
Phil Davey was one of the forces behind S11 but chose to sit out M1. He looks at this week's action.

History: Il Duce Roberto?
His modern-day fan club might not like it, but Rowan Cahill argues wartime PM Robert Menzies sailed close to the winds of Fascism.

International: Cuban Call for Global Labour Rights
An international meeting of union representatives in Cuba has vowed to start a campaign to defend workers rights from the effects of globalisation.

Economics: The G-Word
ACTU President Sharan Burrow asks if there's a better way forward for global trade.

Media: Birth Of A Nation
East Timor's young journalists are struggling with language barriers and technical difficulties most Australian media professionals wouldn't be able to comprehend. But they're keen and eager to learn.

Review: The Tremulous Hopes of the Fifties
Behind the the good times mythology of the 1950s was a desperate quest for the ordinary.

Satire: Teen Angst Poems a ï¿½Dangerï¿½
The Teen Angst Gun Massacre Affair has broadened, with staff at the NSW Department of Education revealing that ï¿½gangs of conspiratorsï¿½ have been found operating out of high school poetry competitions.

» Workers Seek Security on Back of Living Wage

» Temple Workers Return to India Victorious

» Unions Get Down to Workers Comp Talks

» Firefighters Hand Hoses To Politicians

» Unions Back Corruption Fight

» 'Workers Bank' Protest Rally Backs Cleaners

» Smoking Decision Sparks Call for Pub Bans

» Boycott Trade, Travel with Burma

» Qantas Takeover No Impulse Buy

» Sick Chicks Win Privacy Rights

» Arnotts Workers Seek More than Crumbs

» Jageth Backs Jakarta Hotel Workers

» Equity Members Send a Dear John Letter

» New Theatre Under Threat

» A Toast to May Day

» Activist Notebook