Solidarity Letter from the Italian Chemical, Energy and Manufacturing Trade Union Federation

FEDERAZIONE
ITALIANA
LAVORATORI
CHIMICA
ENERGIA
MANIFATTURE

Rome, 8th June 2007



Prot.n: 070608_SolidarietàIFOU_p2923/07

Re: Solidarity with IFOU Italian Government

Prime Minister Nouri-Al-Maliki
Iraqi Ambassador
Italian Ambassador




Horourable Prime Minister and your Excellencies the Ambassadors,

We of the Italian Federation of Chemical, Energy and Manufacturing Workers (Filcem-Cgil), wish, through the medium of this letter, to draw your attention and to express our support and solidarity with the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU).

The long history of Italian trade unions teaches us that the acknowledged presence and alertness of the trade union movement as well as the role and action played by it, have always been - above all, in times of difficulties – building blocks for the development of society, and for maintaining and rebuilding democracy. The entire European experience as well as that of many other countries in the world proves this indissoluble bond.

For this reason we think that to deny trade union freedoms or to restrict their actions, would undermine the democratic and civil fabric of any country and would prevent the practicing of the entire social representation of which the trade union is the legitimate and recognized holder of responsibility.

The rebuilding of Iraq, tormented for far too long by mourning and suffering, needs everybody and it has to avail itself of a strong trade union partner representing petitions coming from that part of society having greater need to be defended and protected, starting from the world of work.

Therefore we express our anxiety regarding the sharpening of relations between the IFOU and Iraqi Government and we severely disapprove of any action aimed at preventing by force the free exercise of trade union rights including the freedom to take strike action.

For these reasons we hereby request and appeal to you to take the necessary measures so as to put a stop to the intimidation of the trade union executives of IFOU starting from its president Hassan Yuma Awad, as well as to restore relations and to return to the negotiating table.

Yours faithfully


General Secretary, Filcem-Cgil
Alberto Morselli
Via Piemonte, 32 – 00187 Roma – tel. 06.4620091 – fax 06.4824246 – nazionale@filcemcgil.it