Two statements from the FWCUI

For several months the returned workers in the sea transportation company didn’t receive any kind of payment. These returned workers are either fired from jobs in the former regime era or who quit their jobs because they refused to comply with its policy to be in one of its armed machinery like popular army, or Al-Quds army.
Meanwhile they are waiting for their life to get better and being compensated, the authorities have made them sign affirm not to demand their payment before at least 2 months and it has been extended till today which is considered unprecedented step that must be stopped firmly, the workers are being deprived from any payment on the other hand billions of dollars disappear in fraud and false contracts or any other sort of corruption.
Keeping the pressure over the authorities, we also call on all international organizations, trade unions, and human rights organizations to support sea transportation workers in Basra, and to pressurize the authorities to comply with the workers demands.

Federation of Worker Councils and Trade unions in Iraq/ Basra
30.10.2004

A Statement Issued By the Trade Union Leaders

While we work on building labor organizations that represent the labor will and hope, our leaders and activists face the authority’s suppression which bring back to our mind the acts of the former regime.
We declare here in our meeting that we stand unite with the labors who confronted and will confront the authorities in their efforts to earn their demands. Also we declare our solidarity with the transportation workers in the southern power company who opposed the resolution to transfer them against their choice, refused to follow orders in this regard, and disclosed the authorities’ acts who called the police to arrest them. Because of the persistency of the workers the police didn’t follow the orders too.
We also declare our solidarity with (Bassim Khalil) the secretary of the thermo power trade union who stood firm against all unjustified acts made against the workers by the authorities.
In addition we demand the ministry of finance to clarify its position towards the labor annual benefits that have been veiled, we also demand the ministry of transportation to process the payment for those who returned to work, and their payment was not being made for more than 4 months.
Meanwhile we call on the people to support the workers cause to achieve their essential goals and interests.

Federation of Worker Councils and Trade unions in Iraq/ Basra
22.10.2004