Iraqi working people suffered terribly under Saddam’s criminal dictatorship. It stopped workers from forming democratic trade unions, electing their own representatives and by forcing them to take part in his wars of aggression, which had led to the deaths of many hundreds of thousands of workers. In turn, this led to the collapse of social and economic structures and the ruination of thousands of Iraqi families.
The Workers Democratic Trade Union Movement (WDTUM) established in 1980 played a significant role in opposing Saddam’s bloody repression and killings, orchestrated by the state-run yellow unions, which were an agency of violence run by Saddam’s secret police.
Prior to the fall of the regime, the WDTUM contacted a number of leading trade unionists and called upon them to rebuild a new democratic trade union movement.
After the fall of the regime, the WDTUM issued an appeal (10 may 2003) calling upon the Iraqi working people and on leading trade unionists “ to unite and to speak with one voice so as to server Iraqi working people who are experiencing poverty, lack of security, and the complete stoppage in all of walk of life. The statement also called upon Iraqi true trade unionist to a meeting to discuss the formation of a national preparatory committee that carry the task of establishing proper base for a free and democratic trade unionism”
The WDTUM has organized many visits to factories and work places and met with workers and discussed with them the need to form new trade unions on a democratic and accountable basis.
After a period of consultation, a national preparatory committee was established and urged Iraqi working people” to restart the process of building a new democratic and united trade union movement, a movement that need to surpass past mistakes in order to contribute to the building of a new democratic and united Iraq that seeks good relations with regional and world communities”
After extensive efforts, the national preparatory committee convened a meeting on 16 March 2003 in the main office of the Transport Union in Baghdad. The meeting was attended by about 400 trade unionists well known in their opposition to the Saddam regime, including former leading figures in the movement. The meeting formed the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) and elected a National Committee, which in turn elected its president, vice president and secretary. The IFTU now includes the WDTUM
Since then the following unions have been established: the Oil and Gas Union, the Railway Union, the Vegetable Oil and Food Staff Union, The Transport Union, the Textile Union, the Leather Products Union, the Construction and Carpentry Union, the Transport and Communication Union, the Electrician and Municipalities Union, the Printing Union the Mechanics’ Union, the Service Industry Union and the Agriculture and Irrigation Workers Union.
These unions organize in Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Wasset, Dyla, Kurbala, Al Najif, Babel and Mesan.
Representatives of the Iraqi legal system, the British and American occupying powers and the local Council were invited to attend as observers to confirm that elections were freely and democratically conducted. A procedure Iraqi working people experienced for the first time in decades.
However the task of building a new movement is a difficult one. Some of these difficulties derive from the occupation and its martial laws, high unemployment due to disruption of the production cycle, but also as a result of lack of funds. The new movement faces shortages of transport, communication equipment and basic office facilities. No union officials are paid. And the movement’s money is still frozen in banks.
And the remnants of the dictatorial regime’s yellow unions (GFTU) are seeking to reorganize despite their brutal record, which helped and maintained the regime of Saddam in power and assisted it to pass some of the most repressive degrees against worker and their trade union rights. These contradict and violate recognized international trade unions laws and rights. For example, that young people under the age of 12 are allowed to work in both private and public industries, against international human rights agreements.
The IFTU seeks to promote
workers rights
a new democratic trade union movement actively involved in influencing economic and social policies and rebuilding civil society, together with other social movements.
the increased role of women at all levels within unions and civil society.
co-operation with international and regional labour movements and also to seek their help and cooperation to quip Iraqi working people with new Skills and knowledge.
special attention to social and economic needs of disabled people (of which there are many after Saddam’s war)
The Solidarity of The International Trade Union Movement is much needed
WDTUM iraqitradeunions@hotmail.com abdullahmuhsen@hotmail.com Tel 07976846868.
Posted at October 6, 2003 06:40 AM