After nearly six months in prison, forty-three fishermen abandoned by the Philippines' tuna company Citra Mina when their vessel was seized by the Indonesian government are returning home. The news was announced at a Manila press conference February 20 jointly organized by the IUF and the national center SENTRO, whose membership includes the union of Citra Mina workers.

Activists of the Alliance of Progressive Labor - Youth (members of the IUF-affiliated SENTRO) picketed a busy McDonald's outlet in Quezon City, Philippines on February 14 to show support for the IUF campaign against zero hours contracts. The McJobs model - franchising, low wages, few benefits, no job security and fierce opposition to unions - set the pattern for the global fast food industry, including the Philippines' own Jollibee.

Wendy's workers from five restaurants in two cities walked off the job on February 10 over the company's denial of their right to alternative days off for working on public holidays.

The Korean Arbeit Workers'Union, which has been leading the fight against abuses at McDonald's Korea, capped its 2nd congress on February 7 by occupying the fast food giant's Shinchon outlet in Seoul. Members gathered outside the restaurant chanting slogans demanding the company reinstate union activist Gahyun Lee, who was dismissed from her job at a McDonald's outlet in Yeokgok, Gyeonggi Province last September 15 after she exposed wage and hours violations and travelled to Los Angeles to support the national action by US fast food workers.

On February 1, the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) mobilized members to join in the first large scale pro-democracy rally following the police dismantling of the umbrella movement encampments.

Finland's trade union centers and their affiliated members are vigorously promoting a citizens initiative which would oblige Parliament to debate and adopt a law banning zero-hours contracts.

Members of Australia's National Union of Workers occupying the International Flavours and Fragrances (IFF) factory in Dandenong ended their 5-day occupation by signing a new agreement which meets their bargaining demands and more.

IUF affiliates have responded quickly to threats by the Hong Kong government to prosecute independent trade union leaders for their active role in the democracy movement.

Leaders of Hong Kong's independent trade union confederation HKCTU now face criminal prosecution for supporting the democracy movement. HKCTU general secretary Lee Cheuk-yan was formally questioned by police on January 17 and accused of inciting, convening and participating in unauthorized assemblies. He was released without bail after being told that police reserved the right to prosecute at any time. HKCTU chief executive Mung Siu-tat has been called for questioning by police on January 22.

Police have suppressed a mass protest against Indian government plans to legalize corporate land grabs. The protest was planned for January 11, the opening day of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, where representatives of governments and over 500 transnational corporations are gathering to discuss "investment" in Gujarat. Small farmers and agricultural workers are worried that the Summit is a platform to encourage land grabbing.