Report of Basra workers' conference

Press Release Nr. 1

Date: 26.11.2004

Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq-FWCUI

The open conference of workers in Basra concluded successfully

Today in the city of Basra under the slogan (the power of the working class is in its unity and organisation) the open congress of workers in Basra commenced with participation of more than 200 representatives and labour activists of many labour unions, industrial workers and preparatory committees of labour unions. The congress discussed the main topics including the role of labour movement to end the occupation and in determination of the political future of the Iraqi society.

Falah Alwan, president of FWCUI presented a lecture about the freedom of trade unions, Adul karim Al Sada presented a research about the unity of the working class and

Ali Abas presented an assessment about the realities and current situation of the labour movement in Basra.

Qasim Hadi, general secretary of UUI made a speech about the unemployment in Iraq after wars and under the occupation, Yanar Mohamad, gave a speech about the role of the working women in the trade union movement and the position of the women in the labour movement in Iraq. Nadia Mahmoud, member of the political Bureau of the Worker Communist Party of Iraq gave a speech about the activities of FWCUI and UUI Abroad and their influence on the political stands of the labour unions world wide on the situation of the worker’s movement in Iraq. She also stressed upon the importance of international solidarity with labour movement in Iraq.

There was a detail discussion about the agenda of the conference for more than 4 hours and then followed by the election of the executive board of the FWCUI. The congress, issued many resolutions, conclusion and recommendation which after discussion, they have been approved by the congress and considered as resolutions of the congress.

The congress made a conclusion regarding the situation of Iraqi people under the occupation and the interim government established by the US led coalition in Iraq and the struggle of the civil resistance front against the occupation. The congress appeals to labour movement world wide to support Iraqi workers and Iraqi people to end the occupation of Iraq.

The labour activists and representative of labour unions viewed this congress, as an important congress in this capacity been held in Basra which was very triumphant in proposing a prospective to the labour movement in Iraq.

The agreements around the resolutions of this congress were very obvious and constructive and its agenda was very apparent and broadly dealt with the current situation in Iraq, in which majority of the decisions and resolutions have been accepted by absolute votes of participants.

During the elections, a group of participant formed a calculation team of the votes and the results were very truthful and accurate.

In another part of the congress, many solidarity letters which have been sent to the conference from trade unions, political parties and labour activists worldwide have been mentioned and short paragraphs of these letters have been translated to the workers.

The congress was concluded with great feeling of success of all participants on the success of the congress and they regarded these conferences as great steps and important in principles to establish real independent labour unions not belonging to the government.

In the congress the female representatives and activists took an active role .In this regard a female labour activist named Kifah Hassan won the election with absolute majority of votes of the participants.

The congress discussed many serious issues for the independent labour movement in Iraq its tasks and responsibilities to end the occupation of Iraq and to set its role in the political future of Iraq, freedom of trade unions and the unity of the working class.


Long live the willpower of the working class.


Withdrawal of all occupying forces from Iraq, is an urgent demand of the independent labour movement in Iraq.



Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq-FWCUI

26.11.2004