
Issue No 96		18 May 2001

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Refugee Riots Sparked By Strike Action

It's been revealed that strike action at Port Hedland followed industrial action by detainees over the amount they were being paid to help maintain the privately-owned facility.

The AMWU's Amanda Perkins briefed the Labor Council on the plight of the refugees at Port Hedland Detention Centre - operated by Australian Correctional Management.

Perkins says prior to the riots - which gained national media exposure - the refugees had instituted strike action over pay rates of just $10 for an eight hour day.

ACM offers work for a range of kitchen and cleaning duties to the detainees - most of whom have arrived in Australia with no money whatsoever.

The industrial action called for an increase in pay to $20 per day, plus a transparent rostering system so that all who wanted had the opportunity to get paid work.

Perkins says the issue is linked to the exorbitant costs charged at the centre's stores - where milk is $5 per litre, cigarettes $14 per pack and shampoo $14 per bottle.

"The riot we saw on our TV screens was a labour riot," Perkins says.

The Refugees Action Collective is planning a national day of action on Sydney June 3 to draw attention to the treatment of refugees. Sydney action will focus on the Villawood detention center.

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Issue 96 contents

Interview: The Enabler
On the eve of the release of his latest book, Beazleyďż˝s brain on the back-bench, Mark Latham, talks about putting the social back into socialism.

Unions: Flogged To Death
One third of Australian workers now work in conditions that would be deemed illegal in Europe. While in our workplaces so much is being done by so few with so little the Howard Government leans on its shovel reports Noel Hester.

Corporate: Nike's Six Broken Promises
A new international report on the labour practices at Nike have placed their stated commitment to ethical employment under the microscope.

International: Jagath at the Solidarity Cafe
When the brave workers at the Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta marched on May Day, a Sydney unionist was by their side.

Education: The Battle for Free Thought
The recent sacking of Dr Ted Steele at the University of Wollongong has focused attention on the need for vigilant defence of employment rights and academic freedom.

History: Federation and Labour
The labour movementďż˝s role in the 1897 Federal Convention and the subsequent referenda process has been largely forgotten.

Satire: Addict Stops Using Smack After Talk With Parents
A 21-year-old heroin addict has agreed to give up his habit after his parents told him that using drugs was wrong.

Review: Rouge or Red?
Mark Hebblewhite argues that the new Baz Luhrmann blockbuster isn't without its class analysis.

» WorkCover: Della Should Split the Package

» HIH Workers Win Severance Guarantee

» Abbott Runs From OEA Failure

» Angry Musos Aim Riffs at Della

» Second Prize In The Arnottďż˝s Sell-Out

» Banks Workers Opt for People Over Pay

» Bosses Raise Stakes in State Wage Case

» Refugee Riots Sparked By Strike Action

» Vodafone Promotes Itďż˝s Own

» Champion Workers Left With Nothing

» Bid for Reasonable Hours to AIRC

» Political Economy Courses at Sydney University

» Activist Notebook

» The Soapbox

» The Locker Room

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» New Editorial Guidelines

» Letter to Canberra

» A Fowler Smell

» Who Saved May Day?

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