Solidarity with Iraqi unions

Labour Friends of Iraq (LFIQ) fully supports the national union protests across Iraq on Sunday 6 March, organised by the General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) and others for improved job standards and labour rights.

The unions will rally around solving unemployment, the provision of basic services as well as demanding an end to corruption. Health care, education, living conditions, and salaries are all basic services which the unions are calling attention to. They want Iraq’s labour laws to improve to meet international labour laws. This would guarantee the Iraqi public sector workers the right to join unions, to collective bargaining and collective action.

Greater solidarity is necessary for this movement to succeed, and for the Iraqi people to continue the advancement of their rights.

LFIQ Director Gary Kent said: “We must support the Iraqi people as they come together to demand more jobs, workers’ rights, and improved living conditions. An active labour movement is necessary in a democratic society, and solidarity in this movement is imperative to its success. Workers in the public sector ought to have the right to join unions and come together for collective action."