Analysis of the bombs in Baghdad

Ranj Alaaldin is worried that the bombs could stop democracy in Iraq

Iraqi Association condemns murderous nihilism

The return of murderous nihilism to Baghdad must be condemned by all.

Yesterdays terror shows that extremists’ indiscriminate killing is a grim reminder that terrorists will try to undermine the planned election in January.

More than 150 killed and over 500 injured in Baghdad on Sunday.

“This was the deadliest terror since 2007. The first bomb struck the Justice Ministry building in the morning. It blew out the building’s large windows that overlook Haifa Street, sending flying glass and shrapnel into passers-by. The second attack hit the main Baghdad city council building, killing many worker and visitors.” Said Jabbar Hasan of Iraqi Association in Hammersmith West London.

”This horrific evil act is committed by abundance of sub-human killers, and terror feeds their hate and sadism. How can anyone claim to carry out these abominations in the name of opposition? How can any community or regime tolerate and protect these murderers in their midst? ”

This carnage leads to more widows and orphaned children, and are a cause of poverty and unemployment and of wider economic dislocation. We urge Iraqi leaders to set aside their political and religious differences to work together to protect civilians and assist victims of the frequent evil and savage attacks. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those who have been injured.

You can send Condolence Messages to info@iraqiassociation.org

The Kirkuk conundrum

Ranj Alaaldin says that Iraqs constitutional disputes started with Kirkuk and will end with Kirkuk and examines the arguments about the new parliamentary elections scheduled for the new year.

Iraqi unions need a fair labour code, not flawed elections says TUC

The TUC is also campaigning for union rights in Iraq.

The Iraqi Government is demanding that trade unions hold elections under a deeply flawed Saddam-era law. TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, today wrote to Foreign Secretary David Miliband asking him to press the Government of Iraqi to drop this demand and instead put in place an ILO-compliant labour code that allows all workers the right to form, join - and have a say in the running of - trade unions.

19 October 2009

Rt Hon David Miliband MP
Secretary of State

Dear David,

Iraqi trade union elections will breach ILO Conventions
The TUC has just learned that the Iraqi Government is again attempting to force trade unions in Iraq to hold elections under a deeply flawed 1987 Saddam-era law. Can you press the Iraqi government to instead implement an ILO-compliant labour code that allows all workers the right to form, join - and have a say in the running of - trade unions?

The current rules create enormous problems. Firstly, public sector workers are not officially allowed to join trade unions. Secondly, only one federation, the General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW), is formally recognised. Finally, the authorities in Iraq continue to use a controversial decree (Order 8750 of 2005) which froze all trade union assets and financial accounts, making it almost impossible for unions to function effectively.

Holding elections in this environment is not only in breach of core ILO Conventions. It will sew divisions in the Iraqi trade union movement, and very possibly, invite significant political interference in the process. Ultimately, it will prevent trade unions from fulfilling the essential contribution they have to building a peaceful and prosperous Iraq.

The Iraqi trade union movement is about to launch a national campaign calling on their government and parliament to implement a fair and just labour code that gives all workers - public and private sector - the chance to join trade unions and have a say in how they are run. Holding elections once this fair law is in place makes much more sense.

Can you use all avenues to press the Government of Iraq to drop its demand for flawed elections and instead put in place the ILO-complaint labour law called for?

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary

Defence of Iraqi union rights raised in Parliament

Dave Anderson: It is now four years since the Iraqi Government took control of the assets of the Iraqi trade union movement. In the past week, they have seized even more control of the levers of power in the unions. Will the Secretary of State meet me and Iraqi trade unions to see whether we can find a way forward to give these people real support in a situation that should not be happening?

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Ivan Lewis): We believe in not only the rights of trade unions in this country, but in the rights of trade unions in Iraq. At the heart of the Iraqi constitution is the right to organise in a free trade union, and I would certainly enter into discussions with my hon. Friend about how we make this a reality. When I visit Iraq at some stage over the next few months, I shall raise the point directly with the Iraqi Government.

Stop government interference in the unions

Please support this LabourStart campaign

The Higher Ministerial Committee overseeing the implementation of a Governing Council decision announced recently that nominations are open to establish a national preparatory committee to organize and supervise the General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) leadership election across the country. But this government action was done without any prior knowledge or consultation with the GFIW. The union's Executive Committee says that this move violates Iraqi labour laws as well as International Labour Organization conventions, and is calling for broad international support of their defense of the union's independence.

Commons motion on the importance of Iraqi Agriculture

LFIQ Joint President Dave Anderson has tabled the following motion in the Commons.

That this House warmly welcomes the participation of the Kurdistan Regional Government and its Prime Ministers Advisor on Sustainable Development and Agriculture, Dr Anwar Abdullah at the World Fruit and Vegetable Expo in London on 21 and 22 October 2009; believes that this will be a good opportunity to showcase Kurdistan's agricultural potential, including fruit of unique tastes and quality such as apples, grapes, pomegranates, figs, and tomatoes, as well as first-class honey; notes that the region is part of the historic fount of world agriculture; and expresses its hope that, with British and other trade and investment, the Kurdistan Region and the rest of Iraq will be able to rebuild, after decades of deliberate destruction and neglect, their full agricultural potential.

A statement issued by the General Federation of Iraqi Workers.

On the recent call by the Iraqi government to form a new preparatory committee for the election of the GFIW leadership.

The Higher Ministerial Committee overseeing the implementation of Governing Councils decision No.(3) for the year 2004 officially announced recently that nominations are open to establish a national preparatory committee with responsibility to organize and supervise the GFIW leadership election across Iraq.

This government action was done without any prior knowledge or consultation with GFIW despite the government claim that it is organizing this (election) in line with current labour law[ Law 52 of 1987] and the internal rules of the GFIW [GFTU Rules].

The Executive Committee of the General Federation of Iraqi Workers states that the current move by the High Ministerial Committee completely violates Labour Law number (52) of 1987 and the internal rules of the GFIW [GFTU].

The High Ministerial Committee overseeing the implementation of Governing Council's decision No. (3) for the year 2004, should have implemented what it had issued before ( reference to the letter of the Ministry of State for Civil Society No c s / 106 On 13 September, which lead to the formation of a national preparatory committee on 2/2008 set up with the task of preparing and supervising workers election. A date for election was set on 22 June 2008 and then on 1 March 2009 but all this was cancelled without any justification by an order ( No 86 on 1March 2009) issued by the Minister of Civil Society.

The GFIW stressed repeatedly that workers have the right to form and join union is and it believes that this is a legitimate democratic practice endorsed by international Labour organization (ILO) standards and guaranteed by article 22 of by the permanent Iraqi constitution.

Convention No. 87 of 1948 of the ILO and Convention No. 8 of 1977, of the Arab labour organization obliges Member States to provide workers with freedom to form trade unions and compel states not to interfere in internal affairs of the unions.

The main aim of organizing workers into trade union is to strengthen industrial relations and improve social and cultural conditions for workers so that they can help in the reconstruction of Iraq.

The GFIW/IFTU while rejecting the current government interference in its internal affairs, Is calling on Iraqi workers to stand up to defend their legitimate rights and is appealing to the wider trade union movement, professional associations and civil society organizations, political parties and members of the Iraqi parliament for support and assistance and for the solidarity support of the international trade union movement in order to put an stop to all government interference

GFIW Executive
October 2009

Antagonism to Apathy to Engagement

In past years quite a few people at the party conference were antagonistic when Iraq was mentioned but this seems to have turned into apathy, although the rather attractive LFIQ/Islamic Dawa Party stand at the recent conference in Brighton was well-received.
.
Apathy is an advance of sorts. The next stage is to persuade party members and others that we should engage with Iraqis who are seeking to build trade unions, increase women’s rights and consolidate their democratic process.

On LFIQ delegations to Iraq and in many meetings with visiting Iraqi delegations, we have also heard of their wish to increase British investment in and trade with Iraq as well as a whole host of political, cultural, educational, sporting and social exchanges.

Gary Kent
Director LFIQ