Iraq: oil workers plan strike
From the Iraq Freedom Congress, July 1:
An Appeal to Libertarian Forces in the World
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
See our last posts on Iraq and the state of its oil industry and the Iraq Freedom Congress. See also our interview with Iraq Freedom Congress president Samir Adil, and our last reports on Iraq's resurgent labor movement.
Insurgent attacks on pipeline cease
How interesting. We don't claim to have any idea why, but for the past few weeks the endemic attacks on the oil pipelines in Iraq's north have ceased. This is just the kind of transition that needs to happen—from jihadist-terroristic actions to mass workers' actions to defend a free and secular Iraq. From the AP, July 4:
More unions join IFC
Iraq Freedom Congress: