Workers' conference in Basra

Appeal to all Trade unions and progressive organizations worldwide
Re: holding a conference for workers of the southern Iraq in Basra
Dear friends
Dear freedom-loving labour activists

The Federation of worker’s Councils and Unions in Iraq –FWCUI has decided to hold a conference for workers of the southern parts of Iraq in Basra in November 25th 2004.
More than 25 trade unions and labor organizations from various sectors such as Southern Oil Company Trade Union, Power Distribution Company, River Transportation, harbor workers, construction workers, Gas Company workers and many others…. will participate in this conference. The goal behind this conference is to organize and unite the workers of the southern region of Iraq which include Basra, Imara, Nassiriya, Najaf, and Samawa) and to unite their struggle. This conference is held also to form a united leadership for workers in southern parts of Iraq. The conference will discuss the following issues:
1. A draft for labor law put forward on basis of the current international
standards.
2. Methods by which workers can intervene in the political situations in Iraq and how to put an end to the current instability, insecurity and how to establish a secular and non ethnocentric government where the rights of all residents of Iraq are protected and they are treated equally regardless of their gender, religion, nationality, and ethnicity and in comply with Geneva convection on human rights.
3. Other miscellaneous issues in regard to workers’ situations in
Iraq.
4. The final part will be on discussing and endorsing a number of resolutions crucial for the working class struggle in Iraq and also on elections to form a united leadership to lead the struggle of workers in days ahead.
This conference will take two days and will cost approximately $15000. These expenses will be to ensure accommodations, transportations, and to provide security and thwart any terrorist attacks, which might target the conference. The FWCUI is, as everyone may know an independent union who has no support from any government, and relies totally on its membership fees to run its numerous activities. It is worth mentioning that the Interim Iraqi government backed by the American troops has adopted the notorious resolution number 16 which violates both ILO articles number 98 and 87 in regard to freedom of workers to establish trade unions and has imposed a yellow trade union on workers as the only legal and official representative of labour movement in Iraq without any elections. This union is a pro-government union and therefore receives huge amount of financial support without any accountability or legal representation for the workers. We had protested this oppressive step and have filled a complaint with the ILO and many other trade unions and labour organizations around the world.
Therefore, your moral and financial support is the only way to make this conference succeed which will be a step forward for the entire Iraqi society and it will probably eventually be able to save it from ethnic and religious wars which are now claiming the lives of tens of innocent civilians on a daily bases. This conference will also be a step to reintegrate the struggle of workers in Iraq in the struggle of their colleagues around the world after an unwanted discontinuation of more than 35
years.
We call on all individuals and organizations worldwide to participate in this conference as observers and we will guarantee your safety, security, and transportations. We will also arrange meetings for you with the workers and their leaders in Basra, Baghdad, Nasyiriya, Kirkuk, and other Iraqi cities.
Aso Jabbar, Representative Abroad of the Federation of
Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq-FWCUI and on behalf of Falah Alwan, President of FWCUI
October 2nd 2004

Donations to be returned to this account:
Lloyds TSB
UUI
Sort code: 30 94 51
Bank Account: 11610268
PO.BOX 1575
Ilford IG1 3BZ London
Solidarity messages to be returned to this Contact
address abroad:
UUI, Post Box 325, 3000 Bern 11, Switzerland
Tel: 0041 78 882 55 89
Email: asojabbar@yahoo.com ,
Webpage:www.uuiraq.org