------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the May 4, 2000 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------

Workers around the world

By Andy McInerney

ARGENTINA

Workers battle IMF labor law

The Argentine government backed off attempts to pass a new, pro-boss labor law after thousands of workers battled police on April 19. The International Monetary Fund has insisted on the new labor "reforms" as a condition for economic aid.

After the Senate attempted to bring the measure to the floor early, workers responded with an emergency rally outside the Congress building. By around midnight, truck drivers, trash collectors and other workers had filled the square in Buenos Aires.

The demonstration was peaceful. But cops, claiming to have evidence of plans to shut the Congress building, attacked the demonstration at 3 a.m. Shots rang out against the workers, and cops opened up with clubs. Rubber bullets and tear gas sent at least 30 people to the hospital. Forty-nine workers were arrested.

"This government is so desperate to meet its IMF commitments that it is willing to use force on its own people," one woman told Reuters. The IMF recently granted Argentina a $7.9 billion standby loan on the condition that the government ensure labor "flexibility"--a code word for dropping guarantees of workers' rights.

The next morning, thousands of people poured into the streets on hearing about the previous night's battle. Truck drivers blocked the streets into and out of Buenos Aires.

The mass outpouring of support for the workers made the government step back. Sen. Augusto Alasino announced that "doubts had emerged" about the new labor law and discussion would be postponed. Fourteen police officers were arrested for their role in attacking the workers, although federal police chief Ruben Santos announced on April 21 that they could return to duty once investigations were concluded.

MEXICO

UNAM workers, students protest

Some 10,000 workers and students from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) marched to the Zocalo in the heart of Mexico City on April 19. "Army out of UNAM" and "UNAM is not a barracks" were among the main chants.

University Rector Juan Ramon de la Fuente brought thousands of troops onto the campus during the spring break. He claimed that students might try to take over campus buildings.

UNAM students waged a 10-month strike against a tuition hike and democratic reforms at the university, the biggest in Latin America. While the school opened again in February, members of the General Strike Council are still in prison. Union workers at the UNAM charge that the military occupation is a violation of their contract.

COLOMBIA

FARC-EP launches political arm

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) will launch a political wing, according to a document issued at its March General Staff Plenum. The Bolivar Movement for the New Colombia will be launched in April.

The FARC-EP is the biggest of several armed national-liberation movements in Colombia. It has been conducting talks with the Colombian government while at the same time waging a fierce armed struggle against the U.S.-backed regime.

"In order to complement the tools that allow us to continue opening the roads to the New Homeland for the Colom bians," the document states, "we will launch the Bolivar Movement for the New Colombia in the coming month of April."

"Under the leadership of the FARC-EP, the organization will unite all those that seek an end to State terrorism, to injustices, to inequalities, to the indignity in the face of the [U.S.] Empire, and to unemployment. It will seek these ends through political means and from the trenches of clandestinity, to protect from paramilitary barbarity."

BRAZIL

Police attack Indigenous marchers

Police attacked a peaceful march of Indigenous and peasant groups on April 22, wounding at least 20 people and arresting around 100. The Indigenous March 2000 was called to protest the Brazilian government's celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Portuguese landing in Brazil.

Two thousand Indigenous people had marched from the capital city of Brasilia to Porto Seguro, where the celebration took place. As the marchers arrived in Porto Seguro, police blockaded the road and attacked them with batons and tear gas.

The next day, thousands of peasant supporters of the Landless Movement came out to support their Indigenous sisters and brothers.

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