Texas Labor Against the War

Tell Hillary Clinton to speak out for labor rights in Iraq.

SIGN THE PETITION

Since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the U.S. and Iraqi governments have continued to enforce Saddam Hussein’s 1987 law that bars unions and collective bargaining in all public sector and enterprise workplaces.

Iraqi unions have organized (at great risk and with great sacrifices) but without the protection of a basic labor law, even though the Iraqi constitution requires one and Iraq is signatory to the International Labor Organization Convention on the right to organize and bargain.

Union leaders and activists have suffered harassment, beatings, detention, torture and even assassination.  Union offices have been raided and vandalized by US and Iraqi troops.  Union bank accounts and assets have been frozen.

Through all this, the U.S. government has remained silent.

U.S. Labor Against the War has posted a petition that calls upon Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as the principal foreign policy representative of the government, to speak out for labor rights in Iraq and press the Iraqi government to respect and protect the rights of workers and unions.

Please take a moment to add your voice to the international movement in solidarity with the courageous unions and workers of Iraq.

When we strengthen labor rights in Iraq, we also strengthen our fight for labor rights right here in the U.S.

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

US Labor Against the War www.uslaboragainstwar.org

Following days of demonstrations and strikes by thousands of workers, the Iraqi government reversed its order to cut wages by up to 30% and eliminate many industrial labor benefits.  The authorities agreed to direct negotiations with the representatives of the workers.

Workers were able to achieve a number of major demands, such as stopping pay and benefit cuts, and above all advancing the demand for freedom of association and other labor rights that have been denied to Iraqi workers both under the dictatorship and by the U.S./British occupation.  The government agreed to retroactive payment of the wage cuts put into effect and to  meet with worker representatives over other issues, such as workplace hazards.  The Parliament must now consider a labor rights law that recognizes, respects and protects labor rights in conformity with International Labor Organization standards.

More than 275 people responded within 48 hours to the urgent appeal USLAW sent to its supporters asking them to sign electronic letters to the Iraqi Ambassador in Washington DC and the Iraq representative to the UN in New York.  Similar efforts were mounted in other countries around the world.  The combination of determined courageous worker protests in the face of threats and violence and international solidarity turned an attack on the living standards of workers into a victory.  However, promises are not the same as performance.  We must be ready to act again if the Iraqi government and parliament fail to follow through.

Thanks to all those who responded by sending protest messages to the Iraqi government.