Nicaraguan hunger strikers win demands
MANAGUA — Disabled ex-soldiers, widows and mothers of fallen combatants, and demobilised former soldiers have ended a hunger strike after the government agreed to increase their pensions.
After nearly a month without food 15 participants — elderly women, amputees and wheelchair disabled — were in a critical condition. A further 19 hunger strikers, retired members of the army who were fighting for legal title to their houses, continued their fast for a further four days until the government honoured its obligations on September 23.
Trouble at work? Call a CAB
LONDON — In terms of social commentary, the decision of 800,000 Britons over the past year to contact the Citizens Advice Bureau, with workplace complaints, is an eloquent condemnation of the cowed state of the trade union movement here today.
Polish strike ends
Hanna Suchocka, Poland's prime minister, is claiming victory following the end of a strike wave which began in July. The most embarrassing dispute, from the government's point of view, involved workers at the recently privatised Fiat car plant.
Workers there struck for seven weeks demanding improved wages and conditions beyond the 30% pay increase offered by the Italian car manufacturer. Wages at the plant, even with the increase, will remain well below A$100 per week.
Suchocka now intends pushing forward with "Enterprise Pact" — a policy of restructuring the 8000 state enterprises in preparation for privatisation.
Foreign investors are still cautious of Poland's organised work force, as evidenced by General Motors' decision to scale back its investment in producing small cars in Warsaw.