Labor Rights "Fundamental" To Iraqi Democracy

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Charging that the Iraqi government is using the same laws that Saddam Hussein used to “attack workers and prevent trade union organization,” dozens of labor rights activists rallied outside the Iraqi Consulate in Dupont Circle at noon yesterday demanding an end to the “systematic abuse” of workers and unions in Iraq. “Hey Iraq it’s union time – organizing is not a crime!” chanted the demonstrators as they brandished signs reading “Democracy for Iraqi Workers” and “Labor Rights Are Human Rights” under the midday sun. Oppressive working conditions in much of Iraq – it is illegal for workers to form a union and strike – make Iraq “one of the most dangerous places in the world for workers who are trying to organize,” Jim Catterson from the International Confederation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Union told the crowd. “Workers are being sent into exile to places where their lives are in jeopardy just because they are unionizing for better conditions. It’s time now that Iraq accepted freedom of association!” Stanley Gacek -- Associate Director of the AFL-CIO International Department – called on the American union movement to stand in solidarity with the workers of Iraq. “There will be no democracy in Iraq until the Iraqi government passes labor law reform to allow freedom of association and protect the rights of workers who are trying to organize,” he said. “The Iraqi government needs to end the direct political interference by authorities into workers’ organizing campaigns now.” – report/photo by Adam Wright