The General Federation of Iraqi workers organize public seminars in preparation for the National Conference of the General Federation of Workers Iraq
In preparation for the National Council Conference of the General Federation of Iraqi workers have begun working with Its affiliated unions in Baghdad and across Iraq to achieve a successful end to this important national event. Unions in Baghdad and Iraq’s remaining governorates (except the three that make Iraqi Kurdistan) have also begun their own preparation for this national event; however Unions in Baghdad were the first to complete the preparation task to attend the GFIW National Conference.
The GFIW held a series of seminars for Unions in Baghdad for the period 1 July-1 August / 2007, which included discussions with heads of the unions committees on matters of trade unions issues such as pay and working conditions, labour and social security codes. Meetings were concluded with the elections of unions’ members to the GFIW forth coming National Conference. The Ministry of State for civil Society and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs were both informed and were invited to these meetings and the GFIW sought their cooperation and coordination on this important event.
One day seminars for the GFIW affiliated unions in Baghdad were organized 1-31 July 2007.
On July 9 to August 1 meetings were held with the executive committees and Branches committees in preparation for the forthcoming GFIW Conference in Baghdad with following unions in Baghdad:
the Construction and Wood Workers Union General; the Metal, Mechanic and Printing Workers Union, the Agriculture and Food Products Workers Union; Public service Workers Union; Transport and Communication; Textile and leather Products Workers Union; the Oil Workers Union and the Rail ways and Aviation Workers Union.
Participants debated the current state of the national economy and the prospect for the future.
In All discussion participants stressed on the importance of unity among Iraqi trade unionists in particular and working people in general to confront the challenges and obstacles faced by our union organizations in all sectors taking into consideration the recent anti unions legislation 8750 and the recent Oil memo. Participants also urged the Iraqi authorities to abolish Saddam’s 1987 Decree no 150 which the current Oil Minister seems want to revive.
GFIW
Baghdad
August 2007