India: One step forward, two steps back

A few weeks ago I asked for your urgent support for a campaign to protest the jailing of hundreds of trade unionists in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. You responded in your thousands. On 22 October, the last of the jailed union leaders was released.

That's the good news.

The bad news is that they were released on bail, continue to face criminal charges, and have sign in at court every day.

The union in India has asked for our help. Working together with the International Metalworkers' Federation, we're launching a new online campaign today focussing on this case and a similar dispute at BYD Electronics involving mass dismissals in an effort to break a union.

Both companies - Foxconn and BYD Electronics - are suppliers to mobile phone giant Nokia.

Please take a moment to send off your message (http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=814) - and spread the word!

If you're on Facebook, please join the cause at http://www.causes.com/causes/543123