Basra: Surrounded and threatened by troops, workers of the Iraqi Harbor Corp. launch massive demonstration demanding better living conditions and wages
5/30/10, Amjad Ali
A demonstration that began May 7 in Basra intensified today with new threats upon the workers and union leaders being relocated 1000 km from their jobs.
Dock workers rally in Basra (ITF photo)
In response to a call made by the leaders of the general union of harbor workers in Basra (an affiliate union with the General Federation of Worker Councils and Unions in Iraq) hundreds of employees of the Iraqi Harbor Corporation walked off the job on May 7, 2010, demanding better wages and living conditions.
Immediately after being informed, Iraqi Harbor Corporation director sought aid from U.S. troops who quickly arrived and formed a parameter on scene to protect the director, and sent Iraqi troops to surround and intimidate the demonstrators.
In a strange reaction, the mayor of Basra asked to meet union leaders Hirman Kaghim, Ali Khuthayer Abbas and Kadhim Kareem, and told them that they are implementing a foreign agenda and threatened to arrest them if they insist on their demands and continue the demonstration.
The leaders, however, denied links to any agenda except the interests of workers and vowed to continue the strike. In the meantime, the head of the troops asked to meet with union leaders instead of the corporate director, but the leaders rejected his request stating that he has nothing to do with the workers. This stance lead the mayor to back down from his threats. The mayor promised to hold a negotiation in the presence of the director of the corporation who in turn did not attend the meeting that was scheduled for May 28, 2010.
On May 29, 2010, the union leaders met with the director of Iraqi Harbor Corporation who threatened the delegates and vowed them ill fate should they continue. The delegates were ordered relocated to the Iraqi Railroad Corporation in Mosul (1000 km north of Basra).
We extend a plea to all federations and unions around the world to support our delegates in their struggle.
Amjad Ali
General Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq
www.workerstoday.com
phone# 1-416-264-1131
Basra: Workers at the South Refineries Company protest Feb. 18 2010. (STAFF/Iraq Oil Report)
Picture–Another case where the government transferred 5 union leaders from Basra to Baghdad. Refinery workers were demanding bonuses due to them since 2007.
Tags: 2010, Basra, conditions, demonstration, General Federation of Worker Councils and Unions in Iraq, Iraq, Iraqi Harbor Corporation, May, protest, troops, U.S., union, wages, workers
