This morning (27th July) the PUK injured 13 workers at a factory in Tasloja in Sulaimaniya in Iraq.
The workers' only crime was to be taking part in a picket of a cement factory calling for an increase of wages. This is a clear infringement of democratic rights and basic freedom of expression.
Protest in front of PUK’s office on Tuesday 1st August - from 12:00 to 14:00
At 5 Glass House Walk
London SE5. Nearest tube station: Vauxhall (Victoria line)
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We the undersigned call on Trade Union Branches and human rights organisations to send messages to Jalal Talabani who was selected as president of Iraq in April. condemning this action.
Appeals to:
Mr. Jalal Talabani
President
Republic of Iraq
Convention Centre (Qasr al-Ma’aridh)
Baghdad, Iraq
If you have a fax, please send appeals via the PUK offices abroad and ask them to be forwarded to President Talabani:
- PUK office in United Kingdom: fax: +44 20 7 840 0630
- PUK office in United States: fax:+1 202 637 2723
- PUK office in Germany: fax: +49 30 863 987 94
- PUK office in France: fax:+33 1 409 00282
- PUK office in Italy: fax:+39 06 50 37120 (if someone answers ask for the fax line)
- PUK office in the EU: fax:+31 703 895832 (if someone answers ask for the fax line)
- PUK office in Sweden: fax: +46 8 917693 (if someone answers ask for the fax line)
COPIES TO: International Federation of Iraqi Refugees-d.jamal@ntlworld.com, TEL: 07856 032991
Dashty Jamal IFIR
David Broder Convenor of Iraq Union Solidarity
Karen Johnson No Sweat
Friday, July 28
Monday, July 24
Health workers in Kurdish north demand more benefits
Health workers in Iraq's northern Kurdish Region have said they would stage a mass strike unless the regional authorities pay them extra benefits.
Earlier this month, five of the region’s health-related professional unions announced their intention to go on strike on 9 July if the government failed to pay benefits to their members. The strike was averted, however, until 19 July, after government officials held talks with union representatives.
Physicians and dentists currently receive 150,000 Iraqi Dinars (roughly US $100) because they are subject to daily contact with sick people, some of whom have transmittable diseases. They argue that some other professionals, like police, receive similar benefits for risks taken to their wellbeing.
Health unions complain that they have already set several deadlines for the government, which has so far failed to respond to their demands. “Consequently, we were obliged to take a decision to go on strike if the government doesn’t accept our demands for restoring the benefits of health employees,” said Khunaw Hassan, secretary-general of the syndicate for health professionals.
Prior to the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq in March 2003, health employees received regular monthly benefits. These were decreased considerably, however, in the wake of the war.
But since early this year, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has restored the work benefits of its physicians, dentists and pharmacists, but not for lower-ranking health employees. This infuriated health unions, which now insist that all staff be paid equitably.
Talks between government and union representatives – with the aim of resolving the crisis – are currently underway. “Things are going positively, and some sort of agreement has been reached between the two sides,” KRG health minister Dr Ziryan Othman Yunes told IRIN. “I hope there won’t be any strikes, as there is now some common ground.” He declined, however, to reveal details about ongoing negotiations.
Yunes went on to warn that a major strike by health employees would negatively impact the lives of the local population, although he added that planned strikes would not include the staffs of hospitals or health clinics.
Earlier this month, five of the region’s health-related professional unions announced their intention to go on strike on 9 July if the government failed to pay benefits to their members. The strike was averted, however, until 19 July, after government officials held talks with union representatives.
Physicians and dentists currently receive 150,000 Iraqi Dinars (roughly US $100) because they are subject to daily contact with sick people, some of whom have transmittable diseases. They argue that some other professionals, like police, receive similar benefits for risks taken to their wellbeing.
Health unions complain that they have already set several deadlines for the government, which has so far failed to respond to their demands. “Consequently, we were obliged to take a decision to go on strike if the government doesn’t accept our demands for restoring the benefits of health employees,” said Khunaw Hassan, secretary-general of the syndicate for health professionals.
Prior to the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq in March 2003, health employees received regular monthly benefits. These were decreased considerably, however, in the wake of the war.
But since early this year, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has restored the work benefits of its physicians, dentists and pharmacists, but not for lower-ranking health employees. This infuriated health unions, which now insist that all staff be paid equitably.
Talks between government and union representatives – with the aim of resolving the crisis – are currently underway. “Things are going positively, and some sort of agreement has been reached between the two sides,” KRG health minister Dr Ziryan Othman Yunes told IRIN. “I hope there won’t be any strikes, as there is now some common ground.” He declined, however, to reveal details about ongoing negotiations.
Yunes went on to warn that a major strike by health employees would negatively impact the lives of the local population, although he added that planned strikes would not include the staffs of hospitals or health clinics.
Wednesday, July 12
Public Meeting - Samir Adil President of Iraq Freedom Congress
Date: Thursday 13 July 2006
Time: 6.30-10.00PM
Venue: Room 3E Union of London University (ULU), Malet Street, London WC1
Nearest Tubes: Goodge Street and Warren Street underground stations.
Samir Adil, the President of Iraq Freedom Congress will travel to London from Iraq to offer a first hand account of the real life and situation on the ground in Iraq.
This is a good opportunity to hear and find out about life under the occupation and at the mercy of the Islamic terrorists.
Samir Adil has been living in Iraq like many millions of Iraqis experiencing the daily risks on his life, especially when he has attempted to organise people in their neighbourhoods to provide security for themselves. He has first hand information about the appalling situation in Iraq and would share his experience of mobilising secular progressive Iraqis to bring some sense of normality and security to their lives.
For further information please contact Houzan Mahmoud the head of Iraq Freedom Congress abroad.
houzan73@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07956883001 for info on IFC www.ifcongress.com
Time: 6.30-10.00PM
Venue: Room 3E Union of London University (ULU), Malet Street, London WC1
Nearest Tubes: Goodge Street and Warren Street underground stations.
Samir Adil, the President of Iraq Freedom Congress will travel to London from Iraq to offer a first hand account of the real life and situation on the ground in Iraq.
This is a good opportunity to hear and find out about life under the occupation and at the mercy of the Islamic terrorists.
Samir Adil has been living in Iraq like many millions of Iraqis experiencing the daily risks on his life, especially when he has attempted to organise people in their neighbourhoods to provide security for themselves. He has first hand information about the appalling situation in Iraq and would share his experience of mobilising secular progressive Iraqis to bring some sense of normality and security to their lives.
For further information please contact Houzan Mahmoud the head of Iraq Freedom Congress abroad.
houzan73@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07956883001 for info on IFC www.ifcongress.com
Tuesday, July 11
Support the Oil Workers Strike for a Secure, Prosperous and Free Iraq
The IFC Executive Bureau decided in an emergency session following the July 1, 2006, meeting of IFC and southern oil workers’ trade union leaders (who hold positions on the IFC Central Council) to provide full support to the oil workers’ strike. The oil workers will strike for the following demands:
· Abolishment of all contracts including privatization imposed on the workers of Iraq, particularly oil workers.
· The disbanding and repulsion of armed militias from Basra and all other Iraqi cities.
· An end to the killing of workers committed by the armed militia in the Iraqi cities.
· Redistribution of the ration food without taking away any item listed in the ration coupon.
· Redistribution of the profits among the workers in the oil sector.
To all organizations and trade unions in the world…
To all libertarian parties and organizations in the world…
The upcoming strike of the oil workers aims to bring security and build a free and democratic society in Iraq. IFC stands in the forefront to defend the struggle of the oil workers. The demands put forward by the oil workers are the demands of all Iraqis. IFC has issued its instructions to all affiliate organizations and IFC branches in Iraq to support this strike. Strikes will be staged, mass demonstrations will be held, and union protests in the various sectors will be carried out in the areas where IFC is influential.
Iraq Freedom Congress appeals to you to support and uphold the struggle of the southern oil workers. This strike will hit the occupation and its puppet government hard. It is the struggle that will unite the Iraqis against the sectarian gangs who aim to plant discrimination among the workers and the rest of the society.
Your support and assistance is another way to resist the occupation and further empower our front in Iraq.
Stand up for the oil workers’ strike. Your support will strengthen Iraq Freedom Congress.
Samir Adil
Iraq Freedom Congress/President
Baghdad
July 2, 2006
· Abolishment of all contracts including privatization imposed on the workers of Iraq, particularly oil workers.
· The disbanding and repulsion of armed militias from Basra and all other Iraqi cities.
· An end to the killing of workers committed by the armed militia in the Iraqi cities.
· Redistribution of the ration food without taking away any item listed in the ration coupon.
· Redistribution of the profits among the workers in the oil sector.
To all organizations and trade unions in the world…
To all libertarian parties and organizations in the world…
The upcoming strike of the oil workers aims to bring security and build a free and democratic society in Iraq. IFC stands in the forefront to defend the struggle of the oil workers. The demands put forward by the oil workers are the demands of all Iraqis. IFC has issued its instructions to all affiliate organizations and IFC branches in Iraq to support this strike. Strikes will be staged, mass demonstrations will be held, and union protests in the various sectors will be carried out in the areas where IFC is influential.
Iraq Freedom Congress appeals to you to support and uphold the struggle of the southern oil workers. This strike will hit the occupation and its puppet government hard. It is the struggle that will unite the Iraqis against the sectarian gangs who aim to plant discrimination among the workers and the rest of the society.
Your support and assistance is another way to resist the occupation and further empower our front in Iraq.
Stand up for the oil workers’ strike. Your support will strengthen Iraq Freedom Congress.
Samir Adil
Iraq Freedom Congress/President
Baghdad
July 2, 2006
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