Iraq: Minister closes all union offices in Saddam-style move
Police raided and shut down electricity unions across Iraq in mid-July, carrying out an order from the Minister of Electricity that could have been lifted from Saddam Hussein’s rule book.
The order prohibits "all trade union activities at the ministry and its departments and sites" and authorizes the police "to close all trade union offices and bases and to take control of unions' assets properties and documents, furniture and computers." [Details below.]
The Iraqi trade union movement is calling on trade union members and labor solidarity activists everywhere to raise their voices in protest.
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO SEND OIL MINISTER SHIRASTANI AND PRIME MINISTER MALIKI A MESSAGE TO PROTEST THESE VIOLATIONS OF BASIC LABOR RIGHTS THAT ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF ANY TRUE DEMOCRACY.
Hussain al-Shahristani, Oil Minister of Iraq, who was also appointed Electricity Minister, issued a decree that
1. Prohibits all trade union activity and ceases all forms of cooperation and official discussions with the electricity sector unions;
2. Directs management to help police enforce the closure of union offices and confiscation of documents, furniture, computers and anything else present;
3. Orders all enterprises to take immediate legal action against anyone who threatens or uses force or causes any damage to public property under the 2005 anti-terrorism law; and
4. Orders all departments and enterprises to repeal any benefits and privileges union members have gained.
This outrageous action violates all of the norms of internationally recognized labor rights. It escalates a broad attack on unions that has been taking place in Iraq since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein that has included:
* Continued enforcement of Saddam's ban on unions in the public sector and public enterprises;
* Freezing union bank accounts and assets;
* Banning union leaders from traveling outside Iraq without prior government approval;
* Transferring union leaders to remote locations far from their homes, families and union members;
* Issuing criminal charges against Oil Union Federation officers alleging they are undermining the Iraqi economy by protesting privatization of oil resources and companies;
* Ignoring the requirement in the Iraqi Constitution calling for enactment of a basic labor rights law;
* Violating ILO Convention 98 on collective bargaining to which Iraq is signatory.
