ICELAND HYDRO-DAM: POLISH WORKERS 'THREATENED WITH BEATINGS'
Gudmundur Gunnarsson, the father of pop star Bjork, has described 2B, an employment agency that recruits Polish workers for the Kárahnjúkar hydro-dam, as engaged in 'organised crime'. This comes in response to reports by workers that a representative from 2B advised a site foreman to use beatings to punish any Poles who showed any resistance.
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 http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=2172

NEWS IN BRIEF

An entire episode of US investigative reporting show 60minutes was sponsored by Philips Electronics. The company, which paid TV company CBS $2 million for the privilage, made over $57 million from Pentagon contracts in 2003.

Chemical company Bayer has sponsored the UN environmental programme's 'Young Environmental Leaders' meeting in Bangalore; see www.CBGnetwork.org

Low cost airline Ryanair kicked passengers off a flight for being disabled and claims its policy is endorsed by RADAR, a UK disability organisation. No it isn't, says a RADAR press release.

A report showing the ownership of TV stations across twenty EU countries has been released by EUMAP. To download it, go to www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe

Over 400 organisations from across the US will launch a major offensive against hated supermarket chain Wal-Mart. Coordinated by Wal-MartWatch, the event is dubbed 'Higher Expectations Week', and will run from 13th to 19th November 2005. Check out  http://walmartwatch.com/ for more details.

Cleaners at Deutsche bank are organising for better conditions, with a 'Justice for Cleaners' rally called for 2dn Nov. The bank, which has a UK HQ at Great Winchester St., City of London, pays just £5.25 per hour to its cleaners. This compares to the £6.8 million that the bank's top chairman made last year. For more info see www.wombles.org.uk/