A British trade union fact-finding delegation composed of the Keith Sonnet, Deputy General Secretary of Unison (Britian's largest union) and Nick Crook UNISON International Officer, Professor Mary Davis of Natfhe (the University & College Lecturers' Union), Brian Joyce and Dave Green of the Fire Brigades Union and John Lloyd (a member of the National Union of Journalists and a writer on the Financial Times) has recently completed a visit to Iraqi Kurdistan. The delegation was accompanied by Abdullah Muhsin (IFTU) who acted as their guide and translator.
The delegation met with trade unionists in all Iraqi Kurdistan three provinces (Dohuk, Arbil and Sulymania). They also met with a delegation from the IFTU led by IFTU first Vice President, Hadi Ali and with delegations from the IFTU branches in Mosul and Kirkuk.
The delegation was able to meet politicians, media representatives and the Teachers Unions in both Iraqi Kurdistan and Iraq.
The delegation also paid homage to the grave of Masoud Al-Barzani, the national hero of the Kurdish people where Keith Sonnet delivered a televised speech.
The delegation will issue a full report soon.
IFTU
26 March 2005