Month: March 2010

Labour Friends of Iraq gives its full support to this vital campaign in support of the rights and independence of the Iraqi labour movement. We have worked with our Iraqi brothers and sisters and many people in the UK for the last six years to do our bit to help the Iraqi trade unions stand on their own two feet, as they put it when a LFIQ delegation met 22 leaders of the movement in 2006 (see picture on the left). The work of the Iraqi trade unions in helping to build a vibrant civil society, encouraging the participation of … Continue reading LFIQ backing for Iraqi union rights campaign

Please support this new campaign Seven years after the fall of Saddam, Iraqi workers are long due their fundamental rights at work. Support them in their call on the government to put in place a fair and just labour law. Nearly seven years have passed since the fall of the Saddam’s regime, yet many of its laws continue to apply, making it impossible for Iraqi trade unions to organise and bargain on behalf of their members. Workers in the public sector can’t join unions, the Government has frozen trade union assets, and key parts of Government have attempted to take … Continue reading Iraqi workers standing up for their rights

Observer letter Henry Porter is entitled to reprise his arguments against the intervention in Iraq (“Those who say history will absolve the Iraq warmongers are deluded”, Comment). Those in favour could also argue that a genocidal and fascistic regime can no longer murder its own people or menace its neighbours. But those who took opposing views could unite to assist the actually existing Iraq to overcome the legacy of dictatorship, war, sanctions and occupation. It’s too soon to know whether their democratic experiment will succeed. In the meantime, surely it is important to support Iraqi trade unionists who remain saddled … Continue reading Whatever our views on the war, unite to help build the new Iraq

Ranj Alaaldin examines the post-election horse-trading in Iraq

This article by Dave Anderson, Meg Munn and Gary Kent at Progress online urges action to improve and increase links between Iraq and the UK.

Ranj Alaaldin takes a gander at the runners and riders in the crucial second set of parliamentary elections in Iraq, concluding that no single bloc is expected to get a majority, meaning the outcome of the elections and the post-election coalition-building process will be critical in determining the future shape of politics in Iraq.