Once again Irish workers, faced with redundancy have been forced to take action to fight for what is due to them. HMV staff in Limerick, Cork and Dublin occupied their workplaces in an effort to ensure that they receive pay owed to them by the company. These are but the latest example of workers with their backs to the wall taking sit in action. After discussions with the Administrators the occupations in Limerick have now ended and the workers will receive their back pay. Why? Because they disobeyed their master’s voice.

The general elections in Japan, held on December 16, 2012, led to the victory of the right-wing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), amidst the lowest voter turn-out in Japanese history. Arash Azizi takes a look at the current political situation in Japan, as well as analysising the historical processes that have led to these latest events.

Taking advantage of Chavez’s ill health, the Venezuelan oligarchy and imperialism have renewed their campaign of destabilisation against the Bolivarian Revolution. They risk unleashing the wrath of the workers and the poor. Jorge Martin analyses the latest developments in Venezuela.