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ITF appalled over use of former dictator's law to quash Iraqi dockers' union
28 April 2006
The ITF has condemned the use of a piece of legislation brought in by former dictator Saddam Hussein to suppress the activities of a legitimate port union in Iraq.
The Iraqi authorities have issued an arrest warrant for board members of the ITF-affiliated Port Workers’ Union under Convention 150 (1987), a law introduced by Saddam Hussein, which bans public sector workers from joining a trade union. The union, based in Khour Al-Zubeir Port and a member of the General Federation of Iraqi Workers, has also had its offices and committees closed by the port authority, for which the Ministry of Transport is responsible. In addition, reports state that union officers and their families have been subjected to serious intimidation and harassment. It is also claimed that board members’ salaries have been withheld and their jobs transferred to a location some 550km away from their normal workplace and homes.
These anti-union tactics began after the union outlined workers’ demands in writing to a consultant to the Minister of Transport on 23 March. These included a request for improvements in current poor working conditions. The ministry failed to respond.
In a letter dated 27 April to Salam Al-Maleky, Iraqi Minister for Transport, ITF General Secretary David Cockroft stated: “It is deeply regrettable that while Iraq is seeking to rebuild itself and to rejoin the international community, the government has chosen to retain an unjust law denying fundamental human rights that was introduced by one of the world’s most notorious dictators. The ITF is appalled to see this law being used against our affiliate to curtail the rights of workers in Khour Al-Zubeir Port.”
He added that if the unjust treatment meted out to the union was not remedied, the ITF would take immediate steps to complain to the International Labour Organization.
The ITF is currently seeking an urgent meeting with Iraqi diplomatic representatives in the UK and has urged affiliates to show solidarity action by writing to Iraqi embassies in their own country.
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