Mechanics' union leader murdered

The GFIW mourns the death of martyr Najim Abd-Jasem the General
Secretary of the Mechanic Workers Union.

Brother Najim was abducted by criminal militias in Baghdad on the
afternoon of the 27th March 2007 . His body was found three day
later on 30 March 2007. Signs of torture were evident all over his
body.

Brother Najim was one of the key leading trade unionists who helped
to establish the IFTU now the GFIW after the fall of Saddam's
dictatorship and was elected as the General Secretary of the
Mechanics Workers Union in late 2003.

Under the former dictatorship of Saddam, brother Najim worked for
the Health Ministry as a mechanic before he was dismissed because of
his opposition to Saddam's yellow unions.

He joined the underground trade union movement (WDTUM) and fought
against the former dictatorial regime.

His murder is a sign of a systematic campaign to eliminate the
leadership of the newly formed independent and democratic unions
that strongly oppose sectarianism.

Najim A- Jasem leaves a widow and four children.

Glory to the martyr of Iraqi working class brother Najim A Jasem
Long live the Iraqi labour movement


Najim was kidnapped on 27 March 2007
His Body was found on 30 March
Signs of torture was visible on his body
Najim Joined the under ground trade union movement (WDTUM) in the
1980s
He was dismissed from his job as a mechanic where he worked for the
Iraqi health Ministry
He was reinstated to his job after the fall of Saddam's dictatorship.
He was a key founder the of the IFTU now the GFIW
He was elected to the position of the General Secretary of the
Mechanics Workers Union 2003
He attended many national and international seminars and traning

The executive committee
GFIW
Baghdad
31 March 2007