The IFTU on behalf of all Iraqi trade unionists today expressed deepest sorrow at the terrible tragedy that has befallen Iraq on 31 August in Kadhimiya, Baghdad, which has led to the death of more than 960 victims, with more than 800 people injured. This is truly a national catastrophe.
Whoever is behind this tragedy, whether it be the terrorists and extremists who want to prevent Iraqi citizens from practising their religious ritual or those simply wanting to spread fear and chaos, the Iraqi state must assure Iraqis that such disasters cannot happen again.
The IFTU sends its condolences to the people of Iraq and the families who have lost loved ones.
The IFTU Executive Committee,
31 August 2005
In the name of the IFTU and the Iraqi working class people, we strongly condemn the terrorist attacks on London on 7 July 2005 which murdered more than 50 innocent civilians and caused hundreds of injuries, some extremely serious.
These atrocities in London clearly showed that terrorism has no national boundaries and does not differentiate between different nationalities or communities.
The IFTU strongly condemns these atrocities which have shocked and horrified not only London but the world, declare solidarity with the people of the UK and the TUC at this difficult moment.
We send our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and their friends.
IFTU
Baghdad.
14 July 2005
The perils of translation
Ann Clwyd MP, the Prime Ministers Special Envoy to Iraq on Human Rights and an LFIQ President has successfully challenged an inaccurate BBC report (see below).
Ann told the BBC that "We have well-established contacts with the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU), who inform us that the person arrested was the leader of the General Federation of Iraqi Trade Unions (GFITU). We have reason to believe that this organisation is a newly formed version of the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU), which was the Ba'athist so-called 'union' organised by the Saddam Hussein regime." The BBC has acknowledged its error and altered the report.
The original BBC report read as follows:
Iraqi trade union federation calls for release of head
Text of report by Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya TV on 3 June. The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions [IFTU] has issued a statement protesting against the arrest by the Iraqi police of IFTU head Jabbar Tarish al-Darraji. Trade union members said that the manner of arrest was similar to the practices followed by the former Iraqi regime. [IFTU spokesman - recording] The Federation strongly condemns this act, which is meant to create conflict among several unions, which has nothing to do with union work. The manner of the storming and arrest
takes us back in time to what the defunct regime used to do. This is because the manner of arrest shows disrespect for the sanctity of the headquarters of the federation, which represents the proletariat in Iraq.
The arrest constitutes a dangerous and unprecedented act against the activity of the unions and civil society organizations. Hence, we appeal to all political forces and civil society organizations to immediately intervene to secure the release of the head of the federation. We call for such acts not to be repeated in the future in order to achieve democratic and independent progress in union work, and have a free and democratic civil society that serves Iraq and the
Iraqi people.
[Signed] Executive Bureau of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions.
Source: Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai, in Arabic 1414 gmt 3 Jun 05
The Iraqi Committee for a Democratic Constitution
___________________________________________________
54 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH
E-mail: iraqcdc@hotmail.co.uk
5 June, 2005
PRESS RELEASE
Iraqi Campaign for a Democratic Constitution Launched in London
A campaign to promote writing a democratic permanent constitution in Iraq, laying the basis for a modern Iraqi state based on the rule of law and institutions, was launched at a meeting attended by about 120 Iraqi democrats, on Saturday evening, 4th June 2005, held at the Kufa Gallery in London.
The setting up of the “Iraqi Committee for Democratic Constitution” is aimed at active participation by all Iraqi democrats, of all tendencies and affiliations, in writing the permanent constitution in Iraq, and lobby support for a number of principles including:
- Establishing a democratic, pluralistic, parliamentary and federal republic.
- Adherence to the principle of citizenship, and establishing a state of law, institutions and justice, and ensuring political pluralism and peaceful transfer of power.
- Separation between executive, legislative and judicial powers.
- Separation between religion and state; respect for the Islamic identity of the majority of Iraqi people, and ensuring the rights of other religions and sects.
- Adopting the International Declaration of Human Rights, stressing on civil and political freedoms, the freedom of expression, demonstration and organisation (as stipulated in the Transitional Administrative Law - the interim constitution).
- Equality between women and men, and abiding by all international covenants concerning the rights of women and children.
- Prohibiting all forms of discrimination on the basis of belief, race, gender, colour, or ethnic and religious affiliation.
- Ensuring the rights of nationalities, religions and sects.
- Securing federalism for Iraqi Kurdistan, and national and cultural rights for all the constituents of the Iraqi people, including Turkomans, Chaldeo-Assyrians, Faili Kurds, Armenians, Azedians, Sabians, Shabak, Christians, Jews. Adopting a decentralized form of administration for the provinces and their relationship with the central government.
- Ensuring social and economic rights for the citizen; the right to education, health and work, and ensuring social security, and complying with relevant international covenants.
- Ensuring cultural freedom and respect for ideological, political and national pluralism in our national culture.
- Subjugating security forces to elected constitutional institutions and their allegiance to the homeland.
- Developing an effective constitutional mechanism for control over the natural resources, especially the oil wealth, to ensure that it is used to serve the interests of the people and development of national economy, and prevent the plunder and manipulation of this wealth.
The meeting also launched a campaign to collect 1000 signatures on a memorandum calling for adopting the above-stated principles for writing the permanent constitution. The memorandum will be presented to the National Assembly committee tasked with drafting the constitution, as well as the Iraqi President, Prime Minister and Chairman of National Assembly.
The meeting set up a committee, of 18 democrats and activists, to implement the proposed plan of action during the next few weeks. The Committee includes: Salam Ali, Dr Najm Ghulam, Ansam al-Jarrah, Dr Reiadh al-Zuheiry, Samir Tabla, Souad al-Jazairy, Dr Sabah Jassem, Areej Sultan, Dr Sabah al-Sudani, Kawa Bisarani, Nadia Haider, Amanuel Yaqoub, Dr Abdul Hassan, Dr Sabah Mar’I, Dr Leonard Jacob, Dr Kamel Hassan, Ali al-Shawket, Manar Sabri.
The program of future activities includes organising specialised seminars, talks and meetings, for the purpose of discussing the principles of the permanent constitution, based on Iraqi reality and making use of democratic experiences of other countries and peoples. In addition to an active media campaign, the “Iraqi Committee for Democratic Constitution” will encourage writings about the constitution, and issue a bulletin for relevant studies and research material.
02-05-2005
Campaign for solidarity with Iraqi human rights activist, Dr. Shakir Al-Dujaily
The Amman Center for Human Rights Studies has received an appeal from the National Society for Human Rights Advocacy in Iraq giving news of the disappearance of an Iraqi citizen, Dr. Shakir Hassoun Al-Dujaily who holds dual Swedish/Iraqi citizenship follwing his arrival at Damascus Airport on Thursday 31 March on Swedish Airlines, flight number (SAS 79025).
News of him was cut off after calling his wife in Iraq on Thursday 31 March at 10:20 pm when he informed her of his arrival at Damascus Airport.
In light of the above, the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies is calling upon all International and Arab organizations to question the Syrian Authorities and put all their efforts into uncovering the fate of Dr. Shakir Hassoun Al-Dujaily.
Please click on the following link to add your signature for solidarity with Dr. Shakir Al Dujaily
Please pass this on to your friends and colleagues.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amman Center for Human Rights Studies
Amman - Jordan
Telefax: 00962-6-4655043
www.achrs.org
The Transport and Communication Workers' Union (IFTU) is proud to report its recent decision to affiliate to the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). A formal letter applying for affiliation to the Global Union Federation was hand-delivered to the ITF General Secretary, David Cockroft in London recently.
The ITF was founded in 1896 in London by European seafarers' and dockers' union leaders who realised the need to organise internationally against strike breakers. During the 1920s and 30s in Europe, the ITF worked to oppose the rise of fascism. Today 624 unions representing 4,400,000 transport workers in 142 countries are members of the ITF. It is one of several Global Federation Unions allied with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU). The Iraqi Railway Workers' Union is also currently in the process of affiliation to the ITF.
As part of an ongoing organising and trade union education drive, the Transport & Communication Workers' Union recently held several open seminars for members of its Baghdad branches. The meetings, which took place throughout March and April were open to the Iraqi media and other interested representatives of civil society organisations and were attended by many hundreds of rank and file trade union activists.
The seminars were organised as a forum for Iraqi transport workers to discuss many issue of interest to the union particularly developing a trade union strategy for tackling problems of wage levels, working conditions, pensions and unemployment.
Those attending the seminars were able to hear reports and question IFTU representatives who have been attending discussions under the auspices of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) to formulate clear and broadly-supported demands for a new labour code to form part of the new Iraqi Constitution currently under discussion in the Iraqi Parliament.
The IFTU also announced that it has begun preparations for its 2005 May Day celebrations and public rally in central Baghdad. The IFTU has booked Baghdad's National Theatre as a venue for its celebrations of international workers' day when we commemorate the Haymarket Martyrs and all the victims of the struggle against oppression and exploitation and for workers' dignity and freedom.
- Statement ends -
Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU):
International Representative,
Abdullah Muhsin,
c/o UNISON,
1 Mabledon Place,
London WC1H 9AJ.
Tel’: 00 44 79 76 84 68 68
Email: abdullahmuhsin@iraqitradeunions.org
News Release:
DATE: Friday, 15 April, 2005
SUBJECT: TERRORISTS CONFESS TO MURDER OF IRAQI RAILWAY WORKERS
The dramatic confession, live on an Iraqi TV station, by a group of terrorists to the brutal and horrific murder of a group of Iraqi railway workers has been followed in the last week by re-opening of passenger railway services on the affected line between Baghdad, Basra and Mosul, Iraq's capital and her second and third largest cities, the IFTU reports from Baghdad.
Iraqi Security forces in Mosul report they have caught the criminal killers of 4 Iraqi railway workers; Kasim Shahin (train driver), Maithem Shaker Obeid (train driver), Ahmed Ibrahim (train controller - guard) and Zeyad Tariq (railway security guard) who were murdered on 27 October 2004 when their train carrying consumer goods was attacked on the railway line between Mosul and Baghdad. On the night of 27/28 October 2004, terrorists attacked the train with mortar fire, setting the train on fire, killing all those working on it and mutilating their bodies.
On March 27 2005, 'Iraqia TV' broadcast the confessions of a group of terrorists who admitted to killing the 4 railway workers and mutilating the bodies. The IFTU reporting the murders on 3 November 2004 issued a statement; 'Terrorists Murder Iraqi Workers' http://www.iraqitradeunions.org/archives/000102.html, which called on: "the Iraqi government and security authorities to take legal measures to bring the murderers to justice, and to ensure the safety of Iraqi railway workers and all workers, in defence of our homeland, people and working class."
Following the announcement by the Iraqi security forces and the televised confession by the group of killers to the crime against our martyred brothers, the railway workers, the IFTU is calling on the Iraqi Justice authorities to bring legal proceedings swiftly against the murderers.
The IFTU-affiliated Railworkers' Union also reports that on Saturday 9 April 2005 passenger train services resumed operation between Baghdad, Basra and Mosul following several months' enforced suspension due to the cowardly attacks by terrorists, such as that mentioned above. The IFTU greeted this good news with confidence that the re-opened train services will be of great benefit to the Iraqi people and contribute to the re-building of a democratic and federal Iraq.
- Statement ends -
Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU):
News Release:
DATE: Monday, 28 February 2005
SUBJECT: IFTU Condemns the murder of brother Ahmed Adris Abbas a member of the Transport and Communication Workers Union in Baghdad
The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) announces the loss of the martyred trade unionist and member of the Transport and Communication Workers Union, brother Ahmed Adris Abbas who was assassinated on Thursday 24th February 2005 in Martyrs’ Square in central Baghdad.
These cowardly attacks and assassinations of our members represent the bankruptcy of the terrorists and their Saddam supporters who focus their campaign of hatred against working people and their trade union representatives.
The IFTU calls on these assassins to be brought to justice and declares that their attempts to terrorise us will not deter our resolve to build strong, independent and democratic trade unions.
The IFTU calls on the international labour movement to condemn this atrocity against a brave trade unionist who fought to build free unions.
Glory and honour to the martyrs of the Iraqi working class.
Glory and honour to our fallen brother, the martyred Abu Fahad.
Shame and disgrace on the terrorists.
- Statement ends -
c/o UNISON,
1 Mabledon Place,
London WC1H 9AJ.
Tel’: 00 44 79 76 84 68 68
Email: abdullahmuhsin@iraqitradeunions.org
IFTU Condemns the murder of brother Ali Hassan Abd (Abu Fahad) a member of the Oil and Gas Union in Baghdad:
The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) mourns the loss of the martyred trade unionist and member of the Oil and Gas Union, brother Ali Hassan Abd who was assassinated on Friday 18th February 2005 by terrorist extremists while returning with his children to his home in al Dorah District, close to the Al Dorah Oil Refinery in Baghdad.
The IFTU Executive Committee condemns this cowardly act and resolves to continue to organize for free, democratic and independent unions. The IFTU pledges to its martyred hero Abu Fahad to carry on organising workers and also for a new and democratic Iraq.
The IFTU remembers Abu Fahad as a courageous trade unionist who was one of the first to organize the union formation in the oil industry at Al Dorah Oil Refinery in Baghdad in April 2003.
The IFTU calls on the international labour movement to condemn this atrocity against a brave trade unionist who fought to build free unions.
Glory and honour to the martyrs of the Iraqi working class.
Glory and honour to our fallen brother, the martyred Abu Fahad.
Shame and disgrace on the terrorists.
Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU):
Tel’: 00 44 79 76 84 68 68
Email: abdullahmuhsin@iraqitradeunions.org
News Release:
DATE: Friday , 18 February 2005
Another Iraqi trade unionist kidnapped: MOAID HAMED (General Secretary, IFTU Mosul Branch)
The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) reports that Mr. Moaid Hamed, General Secretary of the IFTU Mosul Branch, has been kidnapped on 11 February 2005 in Mosul.
On 11 February 2005, Mr Moaid Hamed was leaving his home in Mosul on union business when gunmen attacked him and kidnapped him, taking him to an unknown location.
In a previous incident, terrorists and Saddam's loyalists working together had kidnapped Saady Edan, the president of the IFTU in Mosul on 26 January and held him prisoner for a week in a unknown location where he was tortured severely and before his release on 1 February 2005 was told to stop working and organizing for the IFTU otherwise he would be killed next.
The IFTU office in Mosul received many threats and intimidation from forces loyal to Saddam and his yellow union the discredited GFTU.
The IFTU media and information office calls upon the international labour movement to demand the immediate release of Mr Moaid Hamed .
With the help of our international labour movement colleagues, the IFTU will continue to campaign to end terrorism against those brave patriotic working class fighters who are striving to organise Iraqi workers into free trade and demcratic unions.
Further information will be made available about the condition of Mr. Moaid Hamed and the circumstances of his kidnapping.
- Statement ends -
For further information contact Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU):
IFTU
c/o UNISON,
1 Mabledon Place,
London WC1H 9AJ.
Tel’: 00 44 79 76 84 68 68
Email: abdullahmuhsin@iraqitradeunions.org
Website: http://www.iraqitradeunions.org/en/
Mr Hadi Ali, the Vice-president of the IFTU and Abdullah Muhsin, foreign representative of the new and independent Iraqi trade union movement, addressed MPs and journalists at a successful cross-party briefing meeting in the House of Commons on the 18th May.
The briefing was organised by Labour MP Harry Barnes, who has long championed workers' rights in Iraq and the new democratic trade unionism of the IFTU.
Mr Ali extensively briefed participants on the current political and security situation, the need to transfer power to Iraqis on 30th June and the progress being made by the IFTU in rebuilding itself as part of a wider, secular civil society.
The meetings was chaired by Harry Barnes and attended by the Conservative Shadow Secretary of State Tim Collins, the Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Jean Corston and fellow Labour MPs, Jim Murphy (who is part of the Commons soccer team playing the Iraqi side this week), Ernie Ross, Mike Connarty and Louise Ellman.
Also in attendance were a representative of the Foreign Office and the Labor Counsellor of the American Embassy in London as well as John Slinger of Julia Drown MP's office and representatives of the Financial Times and Guardian newspapers.
Apologies for absence were received from several MPs who were elsewhere on parliamentary business.
The meeting stood in silence in memory of the head of the Iraqi Interim Governing Council who was killed in a car bomb earlier in the week.
The IFTU representatives later held talks with Foreign Office Minister Dennis MacShane who led the Foreign Office initiative in support of independent trade unions in Iraq.
Mr. Ali, Mr Muhsin and Mr. Majeed held a fruitful meeting with TUC's assistance General Secretary, Kay Carberry on 17th May in which the TUC pledged continuing support for the IFTU.
Mr Ali was interviewed on the Politics Show on Sunday 16th May and made the point that the trade unions are helping to rebuild civil society from below and this was echoed in adebate on the Today programme on Monday morning.
Abdullah Muhsin was later interviewed on several local radio programmes.
Abdullah Muhsin commented: "it was very important to make sure that parliamentarians and journalists alike are made aware of the work we are doing to rebuild a decent civil society and to understand the vital need for power to be transferred to Iraqis on 30th June. This was the second of our briefings and we will continue to make sure that the trade union perspective is made a bigger part of the picture in parliament and elsewhere. We are grateful to Harry Barnes MP for all his assistance"
posted by abdullah 20 May 2004
Meeting with Vice-President of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU)
Tuesday 18th May from 2.30-4pm, House of Commons Committee Room 18
A briefing meeting has been organised by Mr. Harry Barnes MP on Tuesday 18th May, from 2.30-4pm, in committee Room 18, to hear first-hand from Mr. Hadi Ali, the Vice-President of the IFTU, the new and independent trade union movement that has emerged since the fall of Saddam Hussein and replaces his old discredited 'yellow' unions.
Mr Ali will brief the meeting on the current political situation: the wave of violence, the role of the United Nations after the handover on 30th June and the progress being made by trade unions in helping to build civil society in Iraq.
The foreign representative of the IFTU in Lndon, Abdullah Muhsin will also be present. Abdullah has recently returned from Iraq where he accompained a delegation of British trade unionists.
There will an opportunity for questions and discussion.
Mr Ali was interviewed on the Politics Show on Sunday and argued that trade unions in Iraq are helping to rebuild civil society from below, a point that was echoed in a debate on Radio 4's Today programme on Monday morning.
posted by abdullah 18 May 2004
Abdullah Muhsin, the foreign representative of the IFTU, during his recent visit to Iraq 15 April 2004 met with Hassan Juma, President of the Oil and Gas workers' union in the Southern Oil Company (SOC) in Basra. Also present were the President of IFTU's Basra branch and a member of the Basra IFTU executive committee. Mr Juma the SOC Union President said: "We pledge our continuing support for the IFTU and plan to develop further the SOC union's active involvement as an integral part of the democratic structures of the IFTU in Basra." (See photo attached.)
The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions (ICATU), the Education International (EI), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the American AFL- CIO and the British TUC conducted a fact-finding mission to Iraq from 16-24 February 2004.
The ICFTU-led delegation met with the Iraqi Federation of Workers’ Trade Unions (IFTU) leadership, individual IFTU union leaders from many different sectors of the Iraqi economy and IFTU workplace committees.
The delegation met with the IFTU Executive committee at its temporary headquarters at the Mechanics Union in Baghdad and with leaders and branch committees of both the Railway and the Oil and Gas Workers' Unions in Baghdad and Basrah.
At all of these meetings the ICFTU were able to put questions to the union leaders and branch committees. They asked particularly about the experience of building unions in post Saddam Iraq; the process for elections of union committees and leaders and the role of women in trade unions and their leadership.
The IFTU executive, union leaders and branch secretaries responded openly and frankly to the ICFTU questions about the challenges facing them, the difficulties that they are encountering under the occupation and their successes.
The delegation also visited the IFTU headquarters, which was raided by US military on 6 December 2003 and which is still closed. The delegation took a numbers of photographs of the building and interviewed the General Secretary of the Transport and Communication Workers Union who was himself arrested and detained overnight by the American military forces.
The delegation then split into two. One part went to Iraqi Kurdistan (Erbil) for meetings with Kurdish Unions. The other went to the South (Basrah and Umm Qasr) where they met with CPA officials, representatives of Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) which has been appointed by USAID to run the port of Umm Qasr and the new Port Authority Director. The delegation called for workers to be able to organize freely and for the immediate repeal of Saddam’s anti-union laws as the basis for workers' legal rights in the new Iraq.
The delegation met the Basrah IFTU executive and the leaders and branch committee officials of ten unions at the main office of the Oil and Gas Workers' Union in Basrah. Unions present at the meeting were the Oil and Gas Workers, the Mechanics, the Railway Workers, Agricultural Workers, the Dockers amongst others.
The ICFTU delegation reported that: "They visited workers in the education, food manufacturing, hotel, petroleum, road transport, port and railway sectors. Everywhere, they found an appetite and a need for trade unionism. Workers are organising unions in workplaces where they were forbidden under Saddam Hussein's laws, and revitalising union structures previously dominated by the Ba'ath party. The mission met with new trade unionists, and trade unionists returned from exile or re-emerging from prison or the underground... The labour laws inherited from the previous regime, which among other things banned trade unionism in the public sector (most of Iraq's economy at the time), present many obstacles for trade unions. The mission stressed the need for the administration to involve workers through their trade unions, in the development of new labour laws."
The ICFTU in a statement issued on 27/2/2004 concluded: “The international trade union movement will continue to work to assist Iraqi workers and their unions at the sectoral, regional and national levels. A strong a vibrant trade union movement will be a key foundation for the development of democracy in the country, and in ensuring social justice and equitable and sustainable economic development.” - ICFTU Press Statement 27/2/2004 http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991218998&Language=EN
The IFTU welcomes the long overdue signs of interest by the international labour movement in Iraqi workers' rights and sees the ICFTU delegation as an important symbol of solidarity.
The IFTU is greatly encouraged by the ICFTU visit and urges all labour movement activists to re-double their demands for international standards, and in particular the core Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to be applied immediately in Iraq.
The IFTU
Executive Committee
27/2/2004.
posted by Abdullah 9 March 2004 at 22:15 PM
ICFTU Press Statement http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991218998&Language=EN
A first international trade union mission*, has returned from a 10-day fact finding mission in Iraq. The main purposes of the mission were to gain a clearer understanding of trade union developments inside Iraq, and to raise key concerns about the reconstruction process with officials of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and Iraq?s Governing Council.
The mission met with workers and trade union officials in Baghdad, Erbil (Iraqi Kurdistan) and Basra in the south. Meetings were also held with the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs Sheik Samy Azarh Al-maajoun, CPA officials, UK special envoy Sir Jeremy Greenstock, and employers from the Iraqi Federation of Industries. They visited workers in the education, food manufacturing, hotel, petroleum, road transport, port and railway sectors.
Everywhere, they found an appetite and a need for trade unionism. Workers are organising unions in workplaces where they were forbidden under Saddam Hussein's laws, and revitalising union structures previously dominated by the Ba'ath party. The mission met with new trade unionists, and trade unionists returned from exile or re-emerging from prison or the underground. In Iraqi Kurdistan, the established role for unions as an integral part of civil society was seen as an important basis which could be developed elsewhere in the country. The need for women to be enabled to play a more active role in the Iraqi trade union movement was stressed.
However, trade unionism in Iraq faces many challenges.
The economy has been devastated by sanctions and the war, with a lack of infrastructure and raw materials resulting in most of the workforce being unemployed. The burden on Iraqi women is especially heavy. Trade union activity is resulting in better wages in some sectors, however conditions for the vast majority of Iraqi people remain harsh.
The labour laws inherited from the previous regime, which among other things banned trade unionism in the public sector (most of Iraq's economy at the time), present many obstacles for trade unions. The mission stressed the need for the administration to involve workers through their trade unions, in the development of new labour laws. Tripartite involvement in drafting these laws should help lay strong foundations for social dialogue in the future. A primary role for the UN?s International Labour Organisation in drafting the legislation, and in other relevant aspects of reconstruction, is particularly important. This will help ensure that the legal framework, and the application of these laws, conforms to international standards, and in particular the core Conventions of the ILO.
The mission also welcomed news that the current draft Transitional Administrative Law includes freedom of association, free speech and the right to strike.
The international trade union movement will continue to work to assist Iraqi workers and their unions at the sectoral, regional and national levels. A strong a vibrant trade union movement will be a key foundation for the development of democracy in the country, and in ensuring social justice and equitable and sustainable economic development.
*The mission included representatives from the:
ICFTU (Ms P Kamalam)
UGTT Tunisia/International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions (Mohamed Trabelsi)
Education International (Nicolas Richards and David Dorn)
International Transport Workers? Federation (Bilal Malkawi)
TUC-Great Britain (Owen Tudor)
AFL-CIO/ACILS USA (Harry Kamberis)
The ICFTU represents over 150 million workers in 233 affiliated organisations in 152 countries and territories. ICFTU is also a member of Global Unions: http://www.global-unions.org
For more information, please contact the ICFTU Press Department on +32 2 224 0206 or +32 476 621 018.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions(ICFTU)
Boulevard du Roi Albert II 5, B1, B-1210 Brussels, Belgium. For more information please contact ICFTU Press on: +32 (2) 224 0232 - press@icftu.org
Statement from Abdullah Muhsin of the IFTU on recent international trade union delegation to Iraq.
The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) led delegation to Iraq met with leadership of the IFTU, at its temporary headquarters at the Mechanics Union in Baghdad. The delegation was composed of Owen Tudor (international secretary) of the TUC, Harry Kamberies (director of the American International Solidarity Centre of the AFL-CIO and Ms P. Kamalam (Asian Desk of the ICFTU), Mohamed Trabelsi of the International Confederation of Arab trade Unions (ICATU), Education International and the International Transport Workers' Federation.
Abdullah Muhsin, the London representative of the IFTU, who accompained the delegation said: " the meeting was warm and constructive"
The ICFTU-led delegation had an open meeting at the Al Dawra oil refinery in central Baghdad with members of the 16 committees of the Oil and Gas Workers' Union, which is part of the IFTU and its president Thaer Khatheer.
The delegation also met with the President and Executive Committee members of the Railway Workers' Union at the central train station in Baghdad.
Afterwards, the delegation travelled in an engine to visit a union branch committee and a workplace in Baghdad.
The delegation then split into two. One part went to Iraqi Kurdistan for meetings with Kurdish unions. The other went to Basrah and Umm Qasr port, where they met with Coalition officials and raised the issue of allowing workers to organise freely and not to take Saddam's anti-union laws as the basis of policy in the new Iraq. This resulted in a meeting with the new Managing Director of Basrah all ports in which he agreed that unions should be allowed to conduct their work freely and that this would enhance the process of building civil society.
The delegation met the IFTU leadership in Basrah, the President of the IFTU Basrah Region, Hussein F Hassain and the Regional Secretary. They also met leaders of 10 individual unions in Basrah. The meeting took place at the main office of the OIL and Gas Workers' Union.
The IFTU streed that the ILO should be fully involved in writing a new labour law in Iraq, in consultation with the IFTU.
The delegation also visited the IFTU headquarters, which was raided by the US military in December 2003 and which is still closed.
The delegation concluded: " The international trade union movement will continue to work to assist Iraqi workers and their unions at the sectoral, regional and national levels. A strong a viobrant trade union movement will be a key foundation for the development of democracy in the country, and in ensuring social justice and equitable and sustainable economic development."
posted by Abdullah 5 March at 15:30PM
The IFTU joined an official Iraqi delegation led by the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs to participate in the 31st conference of the Arab Labour Organization held in Damascus, Syria from 14-21st February 2004.
The IFTU delegation was led by its national President Mr Rasem Hussein Abdullah and brothers Hadi Ali the IFTU's First Vice President and Mahal Hardan Hamad, second Vice President.
The IFTU delegation participated in discussion on many issues and held a series of fringe meetings with trade union organizations and received invitations to attend future conferences elsewhere in the Arab World, Europe and beyond.
The IFTU presented a key note contribution which dealt with political and trade union developments in Iraq since the fall of Saddam's bloody regime.
"Our country and working people face enormous difficulties:economic dislocation and hyper-inflation as well as the absence of real economic strategies to tackle these deep-seated problems and the waste of so much of Iraq's resources."
This speech also stressed the need for all Iraqi union officials and activists to fully engage in building a real, independent and democratic union movement in Iraq. It also referred to the IFTU's new relationships with a growing number of other trade union centres around the world.
posted by Abdullah, 4 March 19:30 PM
Statement Condemning Criminal Attacks in Karbala and Baghdad
IFTU statement of condemnation: No to terrorism, No to crime
The Iraqi Federation of Workers’ Trade Unions (IFTU) along with all loving peace people around the world, condemns strongly terrorist attacks in the holy places of Karbala and Khdimayh (Baghdad), on the morning of Tuesday 2/3/2004 that claimed the lives of scores of innocent worshippers and injured hundreds of Iraqi civilians, who gathered to mark the anniversary of Ashura, the holiest day in the Shi'a Muslim calendar.
These terrorist attacks, which were coordinated by foreign criminals and assisted by elements of Saddam's dictatorial regime and Iraqi terrorists, are desperately aiming to destabilise the country and create chaos and helplessness among ordinary Iraqis. They shall not succeed.
Our Federation strongly condemns these acts of barbarism and calls upon the Iraqi authorities to investigate these hideous crimes, to put an end to these criminal acts and to bring those responsible to justice.
The Iraqi people need to be extra vigilant so as to stop the killers and terrorists from committing further crimes.
Our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones.
We hope that out of this awful atrocity will come a renewed determination to work in unity to end terrorism and unite Iraq on a peaceful basis.
IFTU Executive Committee, 3/3/2004
posted by Abdullah, 4 March 15.41
They shall not pass
The Iraqi Federation of workers' Trade Unions (IFTU) utterly condemns the co-ordinated slaughter of innocent Iraqis on March 2 In Baghdad and Kurbala.
The London representative of the IFTU Abdullah Muhsin, said: " this terrible mass murder will not deflect democratic forces such as trade unions from building a new and secular society. The forces that carried out this atrocity must not be allowed to divide the Iraqi people. They shall not pass, to quote the old anti-fascist slogan".
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.
The Iraqi Federation of Workers' Trade Unions (IFTU) participated in the
annual conference of the historic Fabian Society in London on Saturday
7th February.
The IFTU was represented by its London-based representative, Abdullah
Muhsin, together with Gary Kent from Harry Barnes MP's office, and an
information leaflet was available to nearly 1,000 participants from
around Britain.
The conference was opened by the Fabian General Secretary, Mr Sunder
Katwala and the group's Chairman and Education Minister, Mr Stephen
Twigg.
The keynote speech was delivered by the Rt. Hon Peter Hain, Leader of
the House of Commons.
The IFTU representative participated in a workshop on "the Time
Squeeze." This was addressed by Mr Brendan Barber, the TUC General
Secretary, Yvette Cooper MP minister at the Deputy Prime Minister's
office and the respected left British writer, Will Hutton.
Mr Barber said that British working people work more than their European
counterparts. Technology should serve people and people should not be
servants to it. He also outlined how longer working hours put enormous
negative strains upon our societies. Women are marginalized more than
men. Civil society is in retreat. People have little time now to engage
in voluntary work or sport, which impacts negatively upon their health.
More people than ever suffer from depression.
Foreign Office position on trade unions in Iraq and the US
Administration
In a separate development, Foreign Office Minister Baroness Symons has
written a letter to Labour MP Harry Barnes, a key ally of the IFTU.
The letter informs the MP that the British Government has raised the
issue of working with the Iraqi trade unions with its US Coalition
partners. The letter says that they "recognise the value of the work
done by the trade unions, and have said that they believe that
democratic trade unions are an essential part of the 'glue of
democracy.'"
The Minister, who is responsible for Middle East affairs in the British
Foreign Office, also says that "The US administration is aware of her
Majesty's Governments position on this matter, and we continue to work
closely with them to support democratic trade unions in Iraq."
The IFTU representative, Abdullah Muhsin, who has had several "very
productive" meetings with Foreign Office officials commented that "this
letter demonstrates that the British Foreign Office, together with the
TUC, is playing a progressive role. I very much hope that influence from
our British friends will persuade the US authorities to explain how it
raided our headquarters in Baghdad in December, apologise for the action
and offer suitable compensation."
Harry Barnes MP has also tabled a cross-party Commons motion on the
issue. The motion reads as follows:
EDM 556
THE UNITED STATES AND IRAQI TRADE UNIONISM
04.02.04
Mr Harry Barnes, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Martin Caton, Harry Cohen, Tom
Cox, Mrs Ann Cryer, Mr Andrew Dismore, Paul Flynn, Mr Iain Luke, Rob
Marris, Mr Kevin McNamara, Alan Simpson.
That this House notes that in his 2004 State of the Union address
President Bush declared his intention to double the budget of the
National Endowment for Democracy, and to focus its new work on the
development of free elections, and free markets, free press, and free
labour unions in the Middle East; notes with regret, however, the raid
by US occupation forces in the Baghdad headquarters of the free trade
union movement in Iraq, and that the offices are still closed whilst
trade union assets are still frozen; and calls upon the US
Administration to initiate a full inquiry into the circumstances of the
original raid on 6th December 2003, to explain its actions, to issue an
apology, to offer compensation and to make it its policy fully to
recognise the positive role of secular trade unions whilst it remains an
occupying power.
Birmingham City Hall, 27th January, 2004: Over 100 trade unionists and anti-war campaigners braved a cold Tuesday evening to attend a packed meeting jointly organised by Birmingham Trades Union Council and Birmingham Stop The War Coalition. A range of speakers addressed the continuing US/UK illegal occupation of Iraq and discussed proposals for organising solidarity with Iraqi trade unionists.
IFTU representative Abdullah Muhsin with Birmingham TUC President
For Birmingham Stop the War Coalition Salma Yaqoob said: "the line of resistance to neo-liberalism and imperialism today is in Iraq."
Alex Gordon from the National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT) reported on the recent British trade union delegation (in October 2003) to Baghdad to visit the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) and on the impressive growth of independent, democratic trade unions. Alex called for British trade unionists to make defence of international labour standards in Iraq a central demand on the UK government and called for practical solidarity with Iraqi trade unionists including direct links between British and Iraqi trade unions and trades councils.
Abdullah Muhsin, the IFTU?s London representative spoke movingly about the immense difficulties faced by Iraqi workers in organising trade unions.
Condemning the unprovoked attack by US troops on IFTU offices in Baghdad on 6th December 2003 and the arrest of eight IFTU leaders, who were subsequently released without charge or explanation, Abdullah said: "Friends, we must ask for your support to defend our new trade union movement against repression and intolerance, whether it comes from elements loyal to the former regime or from the military powers illegally occupying our country."
He described trade unionism as "a crucial component in re-building civil society in Iraq" and echoed the appeal for British trade unions and trades councils to form direct links with Iraqi trade unions.
On 6 December 2003 American occupation forces raided the headquarters of the Iraqi Federation of Workers Trade Unions (IFTU).
US soldiers ransacked the building, destroyed IFTU documents, smashed windows, smeared the banner carrying the name of the IFTU outside the building with black paint and tore down union banners condemning terrorism. The raid ended with the arrest of eight IFTU leaders who were handcuffed and taken to the US military central command at Muthan airbase.
No explanations were given for this unjustified attack. It is a stark violation of human rights, which clearly contradicts the claims of the US administration that it seeks to promote democracy and end repression and violence in Iraq.
To find out what really happened, Tareeq Al Shaab interviewed four of the eight arrested IFTU leaders; Turkey Al Lehabey, Muhsin Mashkoor, Hussein Shfaait and Hussein Al Sudany. The IFTU here translates the interview.
Mr Turkey Al Lehabey, General Secretary of the Communication and Transport Union said:
"The occupation forces acted on false and malicious information supplied by remnants of Saddam?s despotic regime who?s interests are threatened by the growth of independent trade unionism.
"Numbers of officials, starting with Abdullah Murad Ghny, general manager of the main private transport company and including managers in public transport Stations and Garages, have lost out severely as result of the fall of Saddam. These hostile elements sent the US troops against us.
"US military forces surrounded the IFTU headquarters with dozens of soldiers and armoured vehicles, eventually raiding the building, destroyed documents, smashed windows and arrested eight IFTU leaders who were imprisoned at Al Muthan airbase.
"The soldiers left us inside a tent in the compound of the airport without water or food for hours, until Mr Kelly, the local military commander arrived and told us: ?Iraq has no sovereignty and no political parties or trade unions. We do not want you to organise in either the north or south transport stations.?
"He also said: ?You can organise only after June 2004, for now you have an American governor.? He returned after 4.00 p.m. with blankets and box of ready-made food that we could not eat. He then released four of us and told us that he was able to keep us in detention for six months but did not want to do so.
"We told him that he has no legal right to raid our offices or to arrest us. These actions contradict America?s claims to respect and adhere to the international values of human rights and the US? claims to be building a democratic Iraq. He replied that his father was an American trade unionist."
Mr Muhsin Mashkoor, a member of the Public Service Industry Union, told US commander Kelly:
"You (the US Military authority) are no different to Saddam Hussein. Yes you toppled his dictatorship but you both are two faces of the same coin." Mr Mashkoor also told the local military commander: "There are no foreign or local bodies financing our trade union federation, we finance ourselves."
Mr Hussein Alsudany said that the US local commander accused the IFTU of being ?unhelpful in the re-organisation of the private transport sector.? Mr Alsudany said. "The IFTU has worked hard with little or no resources, working alongside other Iraqi social forces to build democracy. But commander Kelly didn?t listen, he ignored us and left.
At about 5.00 p.m. we requested a meeting, with one of the leaders of the military authority at the base to find out why we had been arrested. Mr Kelly himself returned and released four of us, whilst the other four were kept in detention. Soon after that they brought us blankets which were inadequate since we were kept in a tent and it was cold."
Mr Kelly told the four IFTU leaders who remained in detention:
?The Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) lacks legitimacy as do Iraq?s political parties. Mr Turkey Al Lehabey, you and Saddam are two faces of the same coin.? Mr Kelly left but returned soon afterwards with an order for the release of the four remaining IFTU leaders.
RMT president Tony Donaghey welcomed a delegation to Unity House on 20 January from the Iraqi Federation of Workers Trade Unions (IFTU) led by international secretary Hadi Salih and Abdullah Muhsin, London Based IFTU Representative .
TUC International and European secretary Owen Tudor and representatives from the FBU, NUJ, public services union PCS and TSSA joined the Iraqi delegation for discussions on how to build solidarity and support for trade unionists in the occupied country.
Hadi Salih outlined the problems facing Iraqi trade unionists including lack of funds, the continued implementation of anti-union laws brought in by the Ba’athist dictatorship and attacks from US forces on IFTU offices.
“After years of repression workers do not know their rights and there is a dire need to organise democratic structures.
“We need new progressive laws that recognise and guarantee workers’ rights and trade unions need to be involved in the formulation of any new labour laws,” he said.
He said that the IFTU had established 12 industrially-based unions in 14 provinces but it was difficult to maintain contacts under the present circumstances.
Owen Tudor said that was a need to campaign for collective bargaining rights for Iraqi workers and to assist in the fight to resist plans by occupation forces to privatise the economy.
Tony Donaghey said that the union had committed itself to supporting the struggle to build free, democratic and independent trade unions.
PCS representative Pat Budu presented the IFTU with a cheque for Ł500 and RMT has already supplied the IFTU with a laptop to assist in their work.
On 6 December 2003, the IFTU issued an statement condemning the attack by
American occupation military forces on its temporary headquarters (at the
headquarters of the Transport and Communication Union, in Karkh, Allawi Al
Hilla, Baghdad), which led to the arrest of 8 IFTU leaders who were later
released unharmed.
On 8 December 2003, the IFTU Executive Bureau sent a delegation to the Iraqi
Governing Council (IGC) and met Dr Mohammod Uthman, IGC member. The
delegation informed him in detail about the attack and handed him a
statement condemning this unjustified act and calling for compensation for
damages inflicted upon our colleagues and IFTU possessions.
The statement also demanded an apology from the local US military commander
who led the attack, and commitments that such act should never happen again
against an important organization of civil society. The statement also
reminded the American authorities not to listen to remnants of Saddam
regime.
Unfortunately, nothing has so far happened. Our head office is still closed.
The IGC did not do enough. Iraqi political parties and Iraqi public
personalities did not show solidarity and support with IFTU in these
difficult times.
However, we would like to thank our friends in the international labour
movement for their support and solidarity with IFTU and their condemnation
of this terrorizing act. Among the labour organisations that sent letters of
support and solidarity we mention the following:
The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)
The International Labour Organization (ILO)
The Scottish TUC and its General Secretary, Bill Speirs
The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and its General Secretary, Bob
Crow
Harry Barnes, British Labour MP
The CGIL, Italy
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
International Metalworkers Federation (IMF)
Labour Start.
Executive Bureau
IFTU
5 January 2003
Proposed Early Day Motion to be tabled by Harry Barnes MP
That this House notes that no explanation, apology or compensation has so
far been proffered by the US military authorities in Iraq for the
unjustified raid on 6 December 2003 on the temporary headquarters in Baghdad
of the Iraqi Federation of Workers' Trade Unions (IFTU) which led to the
arrest of 8 IFTU leaders who were later released; congratulates a wide range
of organisations around the world such as the International Confederation of
Free Trade Unions, the International Labour Organization, the Scottish TUC,
the RMT union, the Labour Start web site, the Italian CGIL, the
International Metalworkers' Federation and the Congress of South African
Trade Unions for showing solidarity with the fledgling independent Iraqi
trade union movement; regrets that the Iraqi Governing Council and Iraqi
political parties failed to act to defend such an important part of the new
civil society in Iraq; agrees with the IFTU on the need for an apology from
the local US military commander who led the attack, commitments that such
act should never happen again, and compensation for damages inflicted on
IFTU personnel and possessions; and endorses its appeal for the American
authorities not to be further misled by remnants of Saddam regime about the
new trade union movement.
The Iraqi Federation of Workers Trade Unions (IFTU) was invited to attend a meeting organized by both the ICFTU and the ILO in Jordan 17-18 December 2003 to discuss ways and means to help and support Iraqi trade unionists to build new, transparent and democratic unions in post Saddam?s dictatorship era . Mr Rasem Hussien Abdullah the president of the IFTU, its first vice president Mr Hadi Ali laftah and Sobhi Abdullah Hussien the general secretary represented the IFTU for the Jordan meeting. The presidents of both the Iraqi Teacher and Journalist Unions were also present at the meeting. Mr Jutiyar Norri Abdulla from the Syndicate Union of Kurdistan Workers was also represented at the meeting.
Mr Guy Ryder the general secretary of the ICFTU chaired the meeting and Mr. Walid Hamdan of the ILO supervised it. The Meeting was also attended by 23 international and Arab trade union organizations including the ICATU.
The ICFTU general secretary Mr Guy Ryder stressed, that this meeting is an opportunity for us to become better acquainted with different groups seeking to build genuine unions and to learn together about the problems and difficulties facing Iraqi workers and the people of Iraq in general.
Mr Guy Ryder added that the capture of Saddam Hussein is a welcome development, and a major blow to those who are trying to stop Iraq becoming a democracy.
At the end of discussion the ICFTU emphasised its readiness to have a closer relationship with IFTU and saw its role (ICFTU) as a priority to help the IFTU to build a free and democratic trade union movement but on sector basis.
Mr Guy Ryder also stated the ICFTU position in regard to the issue of unity and reconciliation being put forward by the ICATU between the various Iraq trade union groupings, and that is the ICFTU would not wish to impose any model or formula upon the IFTU to follow, but is a matter for the IFTU to decide.
The IFTU held several side meetings with a number of trade unions present at the Jordan meeting. A meeting was held with CGIL of Italy and the CCOO of Spain. Both meetings were productive and business like. Both the CGIL and CCOO issued invitation to the IFTU to visit their respective countries.
The ICFTU was deeply concerned at the attack on the IFTU headquarters on 6th. December 2003 and has requested its US and UK affiliates to raise the matter with their respective governments so as to find the truth behind the unprovoked attack by US soldiers.
The Executive Bureau
IFTU
19 December 2003/.
At an emergency meeting of its Executive on 14 December 2003, the Iraqi Federation of Workers Trade Unions (IFTU) congratulated the people of Iraq and the world on the capture of the bloody dictator and the manner in which he was caught in his burrow near Tikrit. We hope this will contribute to uniting the Iraqi people for a new, unified and democratic Iraq, which will end dictatorship forever. In order for Iraq to move forward, Saddam must be tried in Iraq and the truth must come out about his crimes and those he killed, whose memory we honour.
Welcoming the capture of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi Teachers Union called for public trial of the former bloody dictator not only in order to discover the truth about those who disappeared but also to bring about a unified and democratic Iraq. The union specifically pointed to one of their members who disappeared on 23 May 1980, Hassun Ali Al-Mousawi, a secondary school teacher from Najaf -- one of many thousands of honourable teachers who disappeared without trace.
Click here to send a protest message to President Bush
Statement of the Iraqi Federation of Workers' Trade Unions (IFTU) About the Vicious Attack By the Occupation Forces on its Headquarters on Saturday 6th December 2003.
To: Workers and the Iraqi Working Class,
Iraqi, Arab and World Public Opinion,
Supporters of Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights all over the world.
The American occupation forces, using a force of about ten armoured cars and
tens of soldiers, attacked the temporary headquarters of the IFTU (at the
headquarters of the Transport and Communication Union, in Karkh district,
Allawi Al Hilla, Baghdad) at 10.30 am on Saturday 6/12/2003, and arrested 8
of its leaders and cadres, who were handcuffed and taken away to an unknown
destination.
The attackers ransacked and destroyed the IFTU's possessions, tearing down
banners and posters condemning acts of terror, tarnishing the name of the
IFTU and that of the General Union of Transport Workers (on the building's main
front) with black paint and smashing windows glass, without giving any
reason or explanation.
Temporary headquarters of IFTU after US raid. Note the smashed windows, torn banner, defaced sign
The IFTU, as one of the most important organization of civil society, that
includes within its ranks sons of working class, the builders of a new Iraq and
the Democratic future of Iraq, strongly condemns this unjustified terrorizing
act by the occupation forces which targetted trade unionist cadres and
leaders who are well-known for their struggle against the hated
dictatorship.
While calling for the release of our detained colleagues as soon as
possible, and condemning any attempt to launch a new attack on trade union
centres, or further arrests of trade union leaders, we stress that the Iraqi
working class will not forgive this attack which constitutes a blatant
violation of democracy and human rights.
We, therefore, call upon all the forces of goodwill towards our people, as well as arab and international trade union organizations, to take a firm stand
against this act, and to call for the immediate release of detainees, and
compensation for the damages inflicted upon our colleagues and IFTU
headquarters as a result of this aggression
the Executive Bureau
The Iraqi Federation of Workers Trade Unions (IFTU)
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: The 8 trade unionists of the IFTU who were detained by US troops under the command of US officer named Kelly (or Kealy) on Saturday 6th Dember 2003 without explanation, were released on Sunday 7th December 2003 unharmed.
Pictures of IFTU headquarters and leading trade unionists of IFTU available from I.S.S.
Abdullah Muhsin, London Representative of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions
Mob': 00 44 (0) 79 31 41 63 44
On 9 August 2003 The IFTU in Basra had organized a peaceful demonstration in support of the Transport and Communication Union demands.
Due to the recent sever shortages of both gas and petrol, Iraqi working people in Basra called upon the occupying authority to ensure the sufficient provision of these commodities at the fixed recognized prices.
The protesters carried the following slogans:
Iraq is a country flout on oil, but has no petrol.
Stop the smuggling of petrol.
The Iraqi FTU support the Transport and Communication Union
Under these slogans the demonstration marched in Basra’s streets before heading to the main head quarter of the British occupation authority.
Representative of the British occupation met with Mr. Samer Hanon the vice president of the IFTU (In Basra) in which the latter handed him a petition, which contained the following issues:
1-To clean Iraq’s oil state institutions from Saddam’s loyalists who are currently playing significant role in intensifying crisis by ensuring the continues shortages of both petrol and gas through smuggling operations to neighboring countries.
2-To increase the role of Iraq’s major political parties in the running affairs of Basra.
3- The closures of petrol stations suspected of smugglings petrol and gas.
4-To sell gas and petrol directly to citizens through system of vouchers.
The demonstration was received well among Iraqi working and ordinary Iraqis in Basra. The authority in Basra was coupled to increase the fuels.
In late August 2003, the IFTU held a press conference, which was attended by many local and Arab reporters and satellite stations.
At the start of the press conference the Executive Committee (EC) of the IFTU denounced the criminal terrorist attack on the UN head office in Baghdad, which resulted in the death Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello the representative of the UN General Secretary.
The EC of the IFTU emphasized the legitimacy of the new emerging unions as the true and sole representatives of Iraqi working people.
The first vice president of the IFTU Mr. Hadi Ali, the second vice president Mr. Mahal Aldelimy and the General Secretary Mr. Subhi Al Meshadani attended the conference. Mr. Hadi Salh the secretary of International relations and Mr. Fuad al Askery the secretary of the union media and cultural relations were also present at the conference.
Members of the EC present at the conference recognized the huge task facing the Iraqi trade unions movement and emphasized the rebuilding of trade unionism on democratic after it had been marginalized for decades by the former regime and mentioned that many unions have been formed a cross Iraq.
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.