News online
ITF denounces draconian measures against dockers’ union protest in Iraq
10 June 2010
The ITF has condemned the heavy-handed measures taken by harbour corporation managers to disperse a peaceful demonstration by Iraqi port workers.
Dockers, represented by the Port Workers’ Union, based in Basra, were protesting over plans to transfer the union’s leaders some 1000 kilometres away from their current workplace. The decision to transfer the unionists had been decided upon without prior consultation. During the protest, the director of the Iraqi Harbour Corporation brought in military troops who quickly formed a parameter at the scene of the demonstration, surrounding and intimidating the protestors.
In a letter to Iraqi prime minister Jawad Al-Maliki dated 7 June, ITF dockers’ section secretary Frank Leys expressed alarm over the company’s actions and stated that the ITF believed the move constituted an attempt to “undermine and eventually eliminate the union.”
He said: “This shows that the company has a total disregard for the code of ethics and this is unacceptable to the workers in Iraq and workers worldwide.
“As a member of the International Labour Organization, the honourable government of Iraq must respect the freedom and rights of trade unions and their members.”
He warned: “We will closely monitor the situation and will ensure that our worldwide dockers’ affiliates are advised accordingly. Should the developments in the Iraqi port continue in this negative direction, they may judge it appropriate to take all legitimate actions possible to support the union.”
Leys also sent a message of support to the union and called on dockers’ unions around the world to do the same by emailing Harman Kadhim Saeed, vice-president of the General Union of Transport and Telecommunications - FWUCI at harman.almalke@yahoo.com; she will forward your message.
Back to current news online stories
|
view larger image
