Congress protests against Iraq
Issued on July 28, 2010 at 01:57 PM
Banning of trade unions in the electricity sector
In a letter of the 27th of July to the Prime Minster of Iraq Mr. Nori Al-Maliki, the General Secretary of Congress David Begg protests against the latest violation of trade union rights in Iraq.
On July 20, the Minister of Electricity on behalf of the government issued a Ministerial Order, which prohibits all trade union activities in the electricity sector. It orders the ministry in coordination with the police to close all trade union offices and take control of the trade unions' assets, properties, documents, furniture and computers. Finally, the Ministerial Order grants the police authority, under the terrorism act of 2005, to arrest any trade union activist who tries to protest against this unjust action.
I the letter David Begg urges the Iraqi Government to stop these ongoing abuses and violations of fundamental rights.
Read the letter here below:
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Mr. Nori Al-Maliki
Prime Minister
Republic of Iraq
Baghdad
Dublin 27 July 2010
Re: Banning of trade unions in the electricity sector
Dear Prime Minister,
On behalf of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, affiliated to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which represents 176 million workers in 156 countries and territories and has 312 national affiliates, I write to protest against your governments' latest violation of trade union rights.
On July 20, 2010, the Minister of Electricity on behalf of the government issued a Ministerial Order, Issue 22 244, which prohibits all trade union activities in the electricity sector. It orders the ministry in coordination with the police to close all trade union offices and take control of the trade unions' assets, properties, documents, furniture and computers. Finally, the Ministerial Order grants the police authority, under the terrorism act of 2005, to arrest any trade union activist who tries to protest against this unjust action.
This is a clear case of intimidation of free, independent and democratic trade union organisations and we urge you to stop this unjust government action immediately. If the Iraqi state is genuinely trying to embrace democracy, respect for the constitution and the rule of law it should adhere to internationally-recognised standards.
Iraq, as a member state of the ILO, is bound by international treaties, including ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of association, which aims to ensure that workers' organisations can exercise their legitimate activities without acts of interference or reprisals against their leaders and membership. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions strongly urges you to stop these ongoing abuses and violations of fundamental rights.
Yours sincerely
David Begg
General Secretary
ICTU