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The Iraqi Freedom Congress and US Labor Against the War (USLAW) are asking for a show of solidarity for Iraqi oil workers. The Iraqi regime has frozen the bank accounts of the General Union of Oil Employees, which represents over 23,000 oil and gas industry workers in Iraq.

The regime’s actions against GUOE are consistent with other recent anti-union measures. According to GUOE and USLAW, the Iraqi government has gone so far as to declare all union activity illegal, saying it will soon put forward a new law regulating trade union activity.

Despite the freezing of its assets the union is planning a strike. The oil workers are demanding that all contracts that have been imposed upon them (as well as other Iraqi workers) be abolished.

In addition they have expressed concern regarding armed militia attacks on workers in Iraqi cities and are demanding some response. Finally, they are calling for the redistribution of food rations and profits in the oil sector.

USLAW is asking its members and all labor activists to show their support for the Iraqi oil workers by writing to demand that the GUOE’s bank accounts be unfrozen and that labor rights be recognized.

Letters of support should be sent to President Jalad Talabani, Prime Minister Nouri al Malki, Parliamentary Speaker Mahmoud Al-Mashadani, and Minister of Interior Jawad Bulani, c/o Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, 1801 P St. NW, Washington, DC 20036. You can also send emails to admin@iraqiembassy.org.
Copies of letters should be sent to Condoleezza Rice, Secretary, U.S. State Department, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520. More information is available at www.uslaboragainstwar.org.

Expiration Date:
Fri, 09/08/2006 - 5:00pm