Iraqi Unions Under Fresh Attacks: Workers ordered to disband their labor union

[Better Believe It]

A Weekly Column by Bill Onasch
June 21, 2009
Iraqi Unions Under Fresh Attacks

Bosses in Iraq are still trying to utilize the only Saddam Hussein era law that was permitted by U.S. occupation forces to remain intact–the outlawing of unions in the public sector (which includes most industry, utilities, and transportation.) Members of the General Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq at the Basra water purification plant have been ordered to disband their union and their leaders are threatened with imprisonment.

U.S. Labor Against the War is helping to circulate a solidarity appeal from these workers.

http://www.kclabor.org/wir6212009.htm

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Basra Water Purification Plant Boss Threatens Union Leaders, Demands Union Dissolve
Solidarity Action Requested!
by Amjad Ali, of Iraq Freedom Congress

On every occasion the occupation-installed government proves that it is against the workers and their rights

Never misses an opportunity, the Iraqi puppet government attempt to hurt the workers as hard as it can. As it is not enough poverty, sectarian war and destruction, this government once again decides to terrorize workers when presenting their demands.

For quite sometimes, Basra water purification plants workers union (union member of the General Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq) represented by Majeed Ghathban and his deputy Uday Hatim have been putting forward to the project management in Basra few demands concerning their income, benefits, accommodations and so on.

The demands seem to have fallen into deaf ears. Few days ago the management has invited the union leaders for negotiation and as the leaders started to present their demands, the manager asked the delegates to dissolve their union stating that they are not allowed to form a union in the government enterprises according to decree 150 of 1987!!

The delegates refused the manager's request and insisted on their demands. The manager however, called the police and threatened to throw the delegates in jail. Again the delegates did not want to submit to the threats which led the manager to utter threats stating that he will resort to all necessary methods to break the union down even if it needed to bring the army or his tribe's men.

Apparently, the manager could not get what he wished for, and obviously he has strong ties with the regional government which never mind sending police or army to solve their issue.


Brothers and sisters,

This government meant to hurt us the workers whenever the opportunities allow and whatever it takes. This government has begun its confrontation with the workers by threats, jail, relocations and all possible means. We need your support to stop these puppets that were brought to power by the occupation and will not go until the occupation is ended.

Please send your support letter to the Iraqi embassy in your country or to [email protected]

General Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq

June 3, 2009


Amjad Ali
of Iraq Freedom Congress
www.ifcongress.com
phone# [phone]

Working For a Democratic, Secular and Progressive Alternative to both the US Occupation and Political Islam in Iraq


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Iraq Embassies and Consulates

Iraq Embassy in U.S.

3421 Massachusetts Ave., N.W
Washington, D.C. 20007

[email protected]
Tel: [phone] Ext. 136

Consulate Address

Samir Sumaida'ie, Ambassador
1801 P Street, N.W
Washington, D.C 20036
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
URL: http://www.iraqiembassy.us


The Permanent Mission of Iraq to the United Nations is on the Web.

Hamid Al Bayati, Ambassador

[email protected]
212-772-1794

http://uslaboragainstwar.org/article.php?id=19479