Unions demand unfreezing of assets, hopes high that
international trade union movement will formally recognise IFTU and open
way for material support to build secular unions as part of civil
society.
The Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) has closed a chapter in Iraq's history
by recognising that Saddam's discredited state-run yellow unions are
dead.
Decree No 16 2004 (28 January), issued by IGC President Adnan Pachachi,
says that the IFTU and its President, Mr Rasem Hussein Abdullah are "the
legitimate and legal representatives of the labour movement in Iraq."
The IFTU has welcomed this decision and asked Iraqi banks to unfreeze
unions' assets.
The IFTU has also sent a delegation (led by Mr Rasem H Abdullah, Hadi
Ali and Subhi A Hussien) with Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
representatives and the Iraqi Business body to Syria for a round of
meetings with the Arab trade union confederation, ICATU, with help and
support of the ILO Regional Office.