Iraq after Tunisia and Egypt

It is too soon to know how events in Egypt will develop but we should certainly hope that the outcome is a form of democracy that protects pluralism, is based on transparent and independent institutions and which allows groups like the trade unions to flourish. Iraq is ahead of the pack in that it is slowly rebuilding a federal democracy. The physical and psychological weight of its tragic past under decades of fascism doesn’t evaporate overnight. There are fears that an inability to provide basic necessities such as electricity will convince people that democracy doesn’t deliver but a strong man … Continue reading Iraq after Tunisia and Egypt

FCO on Iraqi unions

LFIQ Joint President Dave Anderson tabled a written question in the Commons to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Iraqi counterpart on the role of trades unions in Iraq. This is the reply Alistair Burt: Our ambassador in Baghdad discussed concerns over the treatment of unions in the Ministry of Electricity with the Electricity Minister in August 2010. The right to form and join trade unions in Iraq is embodied in the Iraqi constitution, a principle to which this Government attaches great importance. Embassy officials maintain a regular … Continue reading FCO on Iraqi unions

LFIQ Joint President pushes UK ministers on Iraqi trade union rights

Iraq: Trade Unions Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Iraq on the effect of its recent ministerial decree regarding trade unions in the electricity industry. Alistair Burt: Our ambassador to Iraq met the Acting Electricity Minister on 1 August 2010 to discuss the Ministerial Order of 20 July 2010 relating to activities of unions at the Ministry of Electricity and its departments and sites. Officials from our embassy in Baghdad also raised the issue with the Inspector General of the Ministry of Electricity on … Continue reading LFIQ Joint President pushes UK ministers on Iraqi trade union rights

The new Iraq

In a debate in the Mirror Jabbar Hasan, of the Iraqi Association with which LFIQ is proud to work, says that since 2003, we have seen a huge change in the country. Iraq is no longer ruled by a dictator. There is now a president, parliament and judicial system. If only more people who talk about Iraq whilst ignoring Iraqis would listen to people like Jabbar and work with him and others in supporting the new Iraq, including helping unions to overcome the legacy of Saddam Hussein which is being sustained by somehardliners. Gary Kent LFIQ

Iraqi union crackdown is a return to days of Saddam

LFIQ Joint President Dave Anderson MP urges support for the Iraqi labour movement The position of trade unions has deteriorated significantly in Iraq. Unions in the electricity sector have been banned in a move that echoes Saddam Husseins old ways. The Iraqi police raided and shut down trade union offices following a draconian ministerial decree. The order, issued on 20 July, “prohibits all trade union activities at the [electricity] ministry and its departments and sites”. It orders the police “to close all trade union offices and bases and to take control of the union’s assets, properties and documents, furniture and … Continue reading Iraqi union crackdown is a return to days of Saddam

Commons backing for trade unions in Iraq

LFIQ Joint President Dave Anderson has today tabled a Commons motion on the Iraqi trade unions That this House supports the work of the new and independent trade union movement in Iraq; deplores the barbaric terrorist attack on a textile factory in Hilla in May 2010 which killed 40 workers and injured dozens of other people; agrees with the Trades Union Congress that this is a tragic reminder of just how urgently Iraq needs a stable, non-sectarian government which can put in place the laws and policies to enable ordinary Iraqis to live and work in dignity, peace and freedom; … Continue reading Commons backing for trade unions in Iraq