TUC Conference on Iraqi Trade Unions

TUC Solidarity Conference for union delegates

Congress House London WC1
10:30am to 5pm
Monday, 14 February 2005

Trade unions in Iraq: what British unions can do to help

Iraqi trade unionists need our help to rebuild their movement and cope with the problems of violence, unemployment and privatisation. They need money for equipment, leaflets and organisers. They want training on collective bargaining, promoting women inside the union, and dealing with labour law.

The TUC Aid for Iraq Appeal is raising money, British unions and providing material support and courses. But we¹ve only just started and we¹re only scratching the surface.

This conference is about how we go beyond a good start and really begin to make a difference. Unions are encouraged to send delegates who will return with ideas, information and a renewed commitment.

Speakers from the key Iraqi and Kurdish trade union confederations and sectoral unions will explain what challenges trade unionism faces in Iraq and what it¹s like being an Iraqi trade unionist. People already working on solidarity projects will explain what they¹re doing. And there will be workshops discussing what we can do to help Iraqi unions.

The registration fee includes a donation to the TUC Aid for Iraq Appeal, but there will also be a collection at the conference.

Registration fee - £30 including VAT. Cheques should be made payable to "TUC Aid"

Pat Brown, EUIRD, TUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS - email: pbrown@tuc.org.uk)

Grassroots Iraq: The role of the IFTU in Iraq’s new civil society

The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) invites you to a special reception, with speeches, at the Labour Party conference.

Kindly sponsored by The Observer, The Fabian Society, Unison, LabourStart and War on Want .

6-8pm, Wednesday 29 September

Samphire Restaurant, Hilton Metropole Hotel

Refreshments

Chair: Harry Barnes MP

Speakers:

Abdullah Muhsin, IFTU Foreign Representative

Bill Rammell MP (Foreign Office Minister)

Rt Hon Ann Clwyd MP (Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to Iraq on Human Rights)

Owen Tudor (TUC International Secretary)

Keith Sonnet (Deputy General Secretary of Unison)

Please note all participants require a conference pass

By invitation only: requests and RSVPs to abdullahmuhsin@iraqitradeunions.org or 07 931
416344