Thread: Iraq/Dinar Until June 9th 1PM CST

Iraqi Trade Unionist Denounces US Occupation of Iraq
By David Swanson

Interview with Hashmeya Muhsin Hussein, Iraqi Electrical Utility Workers Union President
June 5, 2007, Washington, D.C.

Political Affairs Magazine - Iraqi Trade Unionist Denounces US Occupation of Iraq

Iraqi Government Orders Arrest of Union Leaders

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Naftana members spoke to IFOU leader Hassan Jumaa Awad today who alerted the support group to an arrest warrant issued by Prime Minister Maliki's office. The warrant names four leaders of the Federation including Hassan Jumaa Awad and demands their arrest for 'sabotaging the Iraqi economy'. The Federation is asking for unions and organisations world wide to support them in their unfulfilled demands and to protect them from repressive measures.

Please send faxes and emails of support for the union to Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and Oil Minister Dr Hussein al Sharastani. Below is a model letter:

Model Letter:

Dear Mr Maliki
Dear Dr Hussein al Sharastani

I am writing to express support for the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions in their right to take industrial action over issues relating to their members' economic and social welfare.

I am also concerned about the decision to arrest union leaders for deciding to take strike action. I trust that the Union will not be penalised for taking action which is legal according to the Iraqi constiution and a fundamental trade union freedom recognised all over the world.

The Union has repeatedly asked for involvement in the drafting of the Hydrocarbon Law but has been ignored. Iraqi civil society should be involved in the decision making process over the future of the Iraqi economy - this includes trade unions.

I will be monitoring the forthcoming news from the union and would like assurance that union members will not be harmed or punished for their actions. Yours Sincerely,.....

For the attention of:
Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki
Minister of Oil, Dr Hussein al Sharastani

General Union of Oil Employees in Basra

British unions express support for Iraqi oil workers' strike

London, June 5, IRNA
UK Union-Iraq Oil Strike

British trade unions have sent a formal message of solidarity to Iraqi oil workers, who were striking for better terms and conditions at a pipeline company in the south of the country.

The UK's Trade Union Congress said the strike was called after weeks of negotiations failed to produce an adequate response from the authorities to a list of nine demands, and could cut off supplies to Baghdad's Green Zone as well as southern governorate.

In a message to the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said "your justified demands deserve to be met by the Iraqi government, and we offer you our support and solidarity."
The TUC was joining the international trade union body in the oil industry - the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) in supporting the strike, Barber said.

The strike was said to have started, when workers in Basra brought an immediate stop to the free flow of oil products including kerosene and gas through the 14-inch diameter pipeline number 42 connected to Baghdad and governorate of the central region.

A threat of industrial action was initially made in an April 27 public letter to the Iraqi Oil Minister in which May 10 was set as a deadline for demands to be met. This was delayed following talks and intervention by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki but produced no settlement.

Many of workers' demands were said to be related to wages and working conditions, including a demand for wage increases; the payment of a previously agreed bonus and no salary deductions to be made for granted vacations.

Further demands were for the recruitment of new graduates and the promotion of workers. The union also called for full time permanent status to be given to workers presently classed as temporary.

British unions express support for Iraqi oil workers' strike - Irna

Originally Posted by Lunar

Iraqi Government Orders Arrest of Union Leaders

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Naftana members spoke to IFOU leader Hassan Jumaa Awad today who alerted the support group to an arrest warrant issued by Prime Minister Maliki's office. The warrant names four leaders of the Federation including Hassan Jumaa Awad and demands their arrest for 'sabotaging the Iraqi economy'. The Federation is asking for unions and organisations world wide to support them in their unfulfilled demands and to protect them from repressive measures.

Please send faxes and emails of support for the union to Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and Oil Minister Dr Hussein al Sharastani. Below is a model letter:

Model Letter:

Dear Mr Maliki
Dear Dr Hussein al Sharastani

I am writing to express support for the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions in their right to take industrial action over issues relating to their members' economic and social welfare.

I am also concerned about the decision to arrest union leaders for deciding to take strike action. I trust that the Union will not be penalised for taking action which is legal according to the Iraqi constiution and a fundamental trade union freedom recognised all over the world.

The Union has repeatedly asked for involvement in the drafting of the Hydrocarbon Law but has been ignored. Iraqi civil society should be involved in the decision making process over the future of the Iraqi economy - this includes trade unions.

I will be monitoring the forthcoming news from the union and would like assurance that union members will not be harmed or punished for their actions. Yours Sincerely,.....

For the attention of:
Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki
Minister of Oil, Dr Hussein al Sharastani

General Union of Oil Employees in Basra

Arresting those guys for their intent on destroying the Iraqi economy is a brilliant move by Prime Minister Maliki and Dr. Sharastani

Originally Posted by inquisitive1

Arresting those guys for their intent on destroying the Iraqi economy is a brilliant move by Prime Minister Maliki and Dr. Sharastani

Yes! There is no question that this was an attempt to sabotage the Iraqi economy.

Since when do union leaders have a say in national, political decisions?

Now all we have to do is wait for the HLC to pass by July 1st.!

Originally Posted by inquisitive1

Arresting those guys for their intent on destroying the Iraqi economy is a brilliant move by Prime Minister Maliki and Dr. Sharastani

Inquisitive they aren't actually trying to sabotage the Iraqi economy....they're just trying to get a wage increase and some job security.

Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

CAIRO, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashimi Wednesday called on Arab countries to make more efforts for restoring peace and security in Iraq, Egypt's official MENA news agency reported.

Hashimi made the remarks following meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, noting the current situation in Iraq requires the Arabs to shoulder their responsibility.

The Iraqi vice president said the situation in Iraq was actually alarming, stressing the importance of starting an Arab action before it is too late.

During their talks, Mubarak underlined Egypt's support for the Iraqi efforts for reconciliation and reconstruction.

Earlier on Monday at a joint press conference with Hashimi, Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazef expressed Egypt's willingness to support Iraq to achieve peace and stability.

Hashimi, who is on his first visit to Cairo since he assumed office last year, arrived in the Egyptian capital on Monday

The Turkish military has said it cannot confirm reports it had sent several thousand troops into northern Iraq to combat Kurdish militants hiding there.article continues below...

"I cannot confirm this report," said a General Staff official, referring to an agency report.

Earlier, a website reported that 50,000 men had been dispatched as the "first wave" of an invading force, but Ankara described the report as "disinformation".

There has been high media speculation of a possible cross-border operation against rebels of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which uses mainly Kurdish northern Iraq as a base from which to launch attacks in Turkey.

More Turkish troops and tanks have recently been deployed to the mountainous border with northern Iraq, which Ankara regards as a particularly sensitive frontier.

The Turkish army has said its big build-up of troops and tanks in the area is a routine seasonal operation intended to combat PKK rebels inside Turkey or trying to enter.

Officials said that the army does stage "hot pursuit" raids sometimes chasing rebels across the border into Iraq.

Turkey's parliament, now in recess ahead of July 22 elections, would have to reconvene to authorise any serious military operation in Iraq.

The United States and Iraq have both urged Turkey not to send troops, saying the problem could be best resolved by diplomatic means.

They fear military action could destabilise the most peaceful and prosperous region of war-ravaged Iraq.

Channel 4 - News - Turkey denies sending troops into Iraq

Nasiriyah News Network / Mortada Hamid :

اكدسيتمEngineer Alaa Hassan Chairman of the Energy Commission in the Dhi Qar News Network Nasiriyah that the fuel crisis witnessed by maintaining for several days in the road to a solution where they will be





...Re-direct pumping petrol depots to maintain the Basra governorate and it is hoped that up to the petrol depots in about twelve noon today, Wednesday, ...

..Some sources have indicated in the press earlier today that workers in the airline company, and oil pipelines in Basra have suspended their strike today until next Monday to make way for the government to respond to their demands, the sources pointed out that the military forces of the 10th and police entered the site attribution pipeline company, The Major General Ali Hammadi, Chairman of the security situation in Basra negotiate with the strikers .. .It was late in the day yesterday, Tuesday, re-direct pipeline pumping at 14 knots and who tells (5) million liters per day of oil products from different Shuaiba Nasiriyah - Nasiriyah and then to the Indian Karkh in Baghdad that is transferred from (4 - 3) million liters per day of products oil.
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Originally Posted by Lunar

Inquisitive they aren't actually trying to sabotage the Iraqi economy....they're just trying to get a wage increase and some job security.

The Union has been upset since they were not invited to participate in the first draft oil law and started protesting back then. I do not know for fact but I doubt that they were invited to the draft for the new draft oil law either. They have caused a lot of non constructive delays which in turn causes them to not have wage increases and better working conditions. Members of that group are among those who conspire against the GOI. PM Maliki has made it very clear what he would do to those found to be against Iraq. I am guessing that the parliament vote yesterday that opposed Maliki and the troops has something to do with it.