Reiteration of the GUOE's Independence

Reiteration of the GUOE's Independence - both from political parties and other trade union federations in Iraq. The GUOE hopes this statement can clarify the Union's political indpendence despite claims by other federations in Iraq that the Union belongs to them.

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In the name of God the Merciful and the Beneficent

Public Statement

It is a secret to no one that Iraq is passing through a most difficult phase in its modern history, a phase of difficult labour to establish democratic principles and public freedoms after the fall of the regime of tyranny, all the more so that there is no clear political, organisational and legal vision for the labour unions existing in Iraq today.

In its meeting of 4th August 2005 the executive bureau took the following decisions:

The GUOE in Basra is an independent union not linked in the present phase to any confederation [of labour unions]; it is the executive bureau which directs the work of the Union; the Head/President of the Union is not a member of the Confederation of Labour Unions of Basra; and neither he nor any other member of the Executive Bureau has the right to join a confederation for any reason.

God ensures success.

The GUOE in Basra
6th August 2005